Triatomine bugs, popularly known as kissing bugs, are the vectors of Chagas disease, responsible for transmitting the parasite. trypanosoma cruzi, which causes the infection, for people.
In Brazil, there are 64 species of this insect, and correctly identifying them is fundamental to establishing effective control and prevention measures.
The importance of ongoing training for municipal entomological surveillance teams for this work is highlighted in a study led by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), published in Journal of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine. 
The study was coordinated by National and International Reference Laboratory in Triatomine Taxonomy do IOC, which acts as a reference center in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
Conducted in Pernambuco, the research evaluated the identification of triatomine bugs in four municipalities in the interior of the state, where there is a presence of kissing bugs and a risk of transmission of Chagas disease. Analyzing a panel of insects of different species, the teams correctly identified them on average 68%.
The most frequent errors occurred due to confusion between similar species. However, there were cases in which professionals were unable to differentiate between kissing bugs and bed bugs that do not feed on blood and do not transmit Chagas disease.
“Based on this result, we will promote training in these municipalities. Identifying the species of triatomine bugs is essential to combat Chagas disease. For example, when triatomine bugs are identified living near houses, forming colonies in backyards, chicken coops, and pigsties, it is necessary to call in teams to apply insecticide to eliminate these colonies. On the other hand, when triatomine bugs live in the forest and occasionally fly to houses near wild areas, chemical control cannot be used, but screens can be placed on windows and lights can be dimmed at night to avoid attracting the insects,” explains Cleber Galvão, head of the National and International Reference Laboratory for Triatomine Taxonomy.
The reference center supports local teams in identifying barbers, producing educational materials and offering training, in addition to performing more complex procedures. Photo: Rudson Amorim
The researcher also emphasizes that the public should be vigilant in observing the presence of the insect and alerting health services.
"Citizen vigilance is very important in Chagas disease. Anyone who finds a triatomine bug at home can take the insect to the triatomine identification post (PIT) or to the nearest basic health unit. On the Chagas Disease Portal, from FiocRuz, we also have the section 'Found a barber?', which receives photos of the insect for identification', explains Cleber.
This study is part of a doctoral project developed by Efraim Naftali Lopes Soares, manager of Epidemiological Surveillance in the municipality of Caruaru, within the Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Health at [University Name]. IOCThe work is supervised by Cleber Galvão.
World Chagas Disease Day, celebrated on April 14th, aims to increase awareness of the disease, expanding understanding and encouraging actions for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The number of new infections has been decreasing in Brazil, but thousands of cases are still confirmed each year. In 2024, there were 4,8 cases, with 501 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.
Kissing bugs are involved in the two most frequent forms of Chagas disease transmission in Brazil. The traditional route of transmission is linked to the bite of the kissing bug. During or after the bite, the insect defecates. Parasites T. cruzi They are eliminated in the vector's feces and can enter the body through the bite wound when people scratch the area. However, currently, food contamination is the most common form of infection. This occurs when triatomine bugs or their feces are accidentally crushed, for example, in the preparation of açaí juice or sugarcane juice.
*Article:
Soares, ENL, Rocha, D. da S., Seabra, AP, Oliveira‑Correia, JPS, et al. (2026). External quality assessment as a strategy for Chagas disease surveillance: A study in four municipalities of Pernambuco. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical / Journal of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine, 59, Article e0361‑2025. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0361-2025
Triatomine bugs, popularly known as kissing bugs, are the vectors of Chagas disease, responsible for transmitting the parasite. trypanosoma cruzi, which causes the infection, for people.
In Brazil, there are 64 species of this insect, and correctly identifying them is fundamental to establishing effective control and prevention measures.
The importance of ongoing training for municipal entomological surveillance teams for this work is highlighted in a study led by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), published in Journal of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine.
The study was coordinated by National and International Reference Laboratory in Triatomine Taxonomy do IOC, which acts as a reference center in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
Conducted in Pernambuco, the research evaluated the identification of triatomine bugs in four municipalities in the interior of the state, where there is a presence of kissing bugs and a risk of transmission of Chagas disease. Analyzing a panel of insects of different species, the teams correctly identified them on average 68%.
The most frequent errors occurred due to confusion between similar species. However, there were cases in which professionals were unable to differentiate between kissing bugs and bed bugs that do not feed on blood and do not transmit Chagas disease.
“Based on this result, we will promote training in these municipalities. Identifying the species of triatomine bugs is essential to combat Chagas disease. For example, when triatomine bugs are identified living near houses, forming colonies in backyards, chicken coops, and pigsties, it is necessary to call in teams to apply insecticide to eliminate these colonies. On the other hand, when triatomine bugs live in the forest and occasionally fly to houses near wild areas, chemical control cannot be used, but screens can be placed on windows and lights can be dimmed at night to avoid attracting the insects,” explains Cleber Galvão, head of the National and International Reference Laboratory for Triatomine Taxonomy.
The reference center supports local teams in identifying barbers, producing educational materials and offering training, in addition to performing more complex procedures. Photo: Rudson Amorim
The researcher also emphasizes that the public should be vigilant in observing the presence of the insect and alerting health services.
"Citizen vigilance is very important in Chagas disease. Anyone who finds a triatomine bug at home can take the insect to the triatomine identification post (PIT) or to the nearest basic health unit. On the Chagas Disease Portal, from FiocRuz, we also have the section 'Found a barber?', which receives photos of the insect for identification', explains Cleber.
This study is part of a doctoral project developed by Efraim Naftali Lopes Soares, manager of Epidemiological Surveillance in the municipality of Caruaru, within the Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Health at [University Name]. IOCThe work is supervised by Cleber Galvão.
World Chagas Disease Day, celebrated on April 14th, aims to increase awareness of the disease, expanding understanding and encouraging actions for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The number of new infections has been decreasing in Brazil, but thousands of cases are still confirmed each year. In 2024, there were 4,8 cases, with 501 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.
Kissing bugs are involved in the two most frequent forms of Chagas disease transmission in Brazil. The traditional route of transmission is linked to the bite of the kissing bug. During or after the bite, the insect defecates. Parasites T. cruzi They are eliminated in the vector's feces and can enter the body through the bite wound when people scratch the area. However, currently, food contamination is the most common form of infection. This occurs when triatomine bugs or their feces are accidentally crushed, for example, in the preparation of açaí juice or sugarcane juice.
*Article:
Soares, ENL, Rocha, D. da S., Seabra, AP, Oliveira‑Correia, JPS, et al. (2026). External quality assessment as a strategy for Chagas disease surveillance: A study in four municipalities of Pernambuco. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical / Journal of the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine, 59, Article e0361‑2025. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0361-2025
The non-profit reproduction of the text is allowed as long as the source is cited (Comunicação / Instituto Oswaldo Cruz)
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