In Macapá (state Amapá) and Ibititá (state Bahia) several cases of foodborne Chagas infection have been confirmed.
Chagas is endemic in Brazil. Foodborne transmission with periodic outbreaks are linked to the consumption of contaminated artisanal products—such as açaí, bacaba, and sugarcane juice—and is associated with higher parasite loads and more severe acute illness.
Chagas disease is rare in travelers but can be transmitted by triatomine bugs or contaminated food and drinks. Avoid unpasteurized juices such as açaí, bacaba, and sugarcane juice in endemic areas, as they may be contaminated with crushed bugs.