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Kissing Bug Causing Some Concern Among Kentuckians

wikipedia commons, Dr. Erwin Huebner, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

The kissing bug is causing alarm in the American southwest for carrying a potentially dangerous disease. A Kentucky entomologist said the insect known for carrying a dangerous disease can be found in every county in the commonwealth.

The kissing bug, also known as the cone-nose, can carry the chagas disease, which can lead to headaches and fatigue to vomiting and diarrhea. Though there have been no confirmed cases in the state, University of Kentucky entomologist Lee Townsend said there has been some concern.  

 

“We have had scattered reports from different areas out in the state just where people have found these kissing bugs and sent them in for identification.”

Townsend encouraged people to take samples of the kissing bug to their local county extension office for examination. He said there are a lot of look-a-likes that can get into homes during the winter.

And, according to Townsend, milder winters allow for greater survival rates, so there’s a possibility people will see more kissing bugs than normal.

Taylor is a recent Murray State University graduate where she studied journalism and history. When she's not reporting for WKMS, she enjoys creative writing and traveling. She loves writing stories that involve diversity, local culture and history, nature and recreation, art and music, and national or local politics. If you have a news tip or idea, shoot her an email at tinman1@murraystate.edu!
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