Most people who have died from chagas disease don’t even know that they have it. It’s a disease caused by a parasite that’s found in the feces of an insect known as the “kissing bug.” According to the CDC, the number of people who have chagas is comparable to the number of people in the US who live with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Sheba Meymandi, the director of the Centre of Excellence for Chagas Disease at Olive View/UCLA medical center, talks to Maria Hinojosa about chagas disease.

Click here to download this week’s show.

Dr. Sheba Meymandi graduated from George Washington University and is currently a director for the Centre of Excellence for Chagas Disease at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, California. Under the direction of Drs. Meymandi and Traina, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center has the only Center of Excellence for Chagas Disease designated in the U.S. The Center of Excellence for Chagas Disease partners with Faith Community Nurses in the San Fernando Valley and provide free screening for Chagas disease at multiple locations in the San Fernando Valley area