Global health R&D at work in Louisiana
Tulane University researchers are developing a vaccine to prevent Chagas disease, a parasitic illness that can eventually lead to heart damage and failure if left untreated. While the disease mostly impacts individuals living in Central and South America, with 6 million people infected worldwide, it is estimated that up to 300,000 people are living with this neglected disease in the United States. The kissing bugs that transmit the disease have been found in 27 states, including Louisiana—putting more than half of the country at risk. There is currently no approved vaccine for Chagas disease, underscoring the importance of continued vaccine development efforts.