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Joan Stephenson, PhD

JAMA. 2007;298:731.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 134 words of the full text and any section headings.

The World Health Organization has launched an effort to eliminate Chagas disease worldwide by 2010 through a new Global Network for Chagas Elimination.

Chagas disease, a potentially life-threatening illness caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite, occurs mainly in Latin America, but cases have also been identified in Europe and North America. The parasite is usually transmitted through bloodsucking insect vectors called triatomine bugs, or "kissing bugs," but can also spread through blood transfusion and organ donation or from infected mother to newborn.

The network will focus on strengthening surveillance and information systems, preventing the spread of T cruzi by blood transfusion and organ transplantation, expanding secondary prevention of congenital transmission, identifying a diagnostic test or tests for screening and diagnosis, and working toward a consensus on appropriate case management.