Chagas is a parasitic, systemic, and chronic vector-transmitted disease, caused by protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It is closely related to cultural, economic, and social factors, and it is considered a neglected disease. Chagas is an endemic disease in 21 American countries, although the migration of infected people can spread it to non-endemic countries in America and the rest of the world.

The disease is transmitted through vectors, particularly Hemiptera (kissing bugs) from subfamily Triatominae (hematophagous). They infect people by biting them and depositing their infected feces on skin wounds or mucosa. The disease can also be transmitted via transfusion or organ transplant, congenitally, and orally. It is believed that around 100 million people in the region are at risk of contracting Chagas disease and around 8 million people are infected. Furthermore, 56,000 new cases are reported every year resulting from all transmission methods, which cause 12,000 deaths every year.