Chagas disease, a potentially fatal condition caused by a parasite transmitted by insects known as kissing bugs, should now be considered endemic in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The World Health Organization (WHO) considers Chagas a neglected tropical disease, and the Pan American Health Organization said it is endemic—with a constant presence or usual prevalence—in 21 other countries in the Americas, not including the U.S. Chagas spreads when triatomine bugs, commonly known as kissing bugs, bite a human while they’re sleeping. The bug defecates in that bite or on a person’s face, and the person unwittingly wipes the feces into their eyes, nose, or mouth. The feces can carry a parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, that causes the disease. Chagas can also spread through contaminated food or blood, organ transplants, and pregnancy. Early symptoms include fever, body aches, headaches, rash, vomiting, and tiredness. They may last weeks or even months after initial infection. According to the CDC, roughly 20 to 30% of people who’ve been infected develop more serious problems like long-term digestive and nervous system conditions, heart failure, stroke, or death. If it’s caught early, the disease can be cured with benznidazole or nifurtimox, medicines that kill the parasite. But the drugs become less effective the longer a person has been infected, and most people remain unaware of the disease. Some people only find out they are infected when they donate blood, since the U.S. has been testing its blood supply for Chagas since 2007. The CDC also estimated that about 280,000 people in the U.S. have Chagas at any given time. While the blood-sucking insect mostly lives in warmer Southern states, climate change has caused more bug-friendly temperatures. Doctors have reported Chagas cases in humans in eight states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. However, doctors are not required to report Chagas infections in most states.
ISSA declared its second annual class of Emerging Leaders. This distinguished group of 30 rising professionals represents the next generation of visionaries in the global cleaning and facility solutions industry. Selected from more than 120 nominations of professionals under 40, honorees were recognized for their innovation, leadership, and contributions to advancing the industry. The 2025 Emerging Leaders Class reflects broad representation from across the cleaning and facility solutions community and around the world—including manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, distributors, building service contractors, in-house service providers, and residential cleaners. Each has demonstrated excellence in leadership and a commitment to strengthening the industry. As part of the Emerging Leaders Program, one individual will be honored with the ISSA Rising Star Award in Honor of Jimmy Core. Individuals can vote now to select a winner from this impressive group to receive the prestigious title. The recipient of the Rising Star Award will be announced at ISSA Show North America on Nov. 11. The ISSA Emerging Leaders Program was created to recognize and support up-and-coming talent across the cleaning community. Participants gain access to valuable networking opportunities, leadership training, and exclusive resources to further their careers and contributions to the industry. The 2025 Emerging Leaders Class includes: Alex Bertuzzi, owner of The Reliable Group Quincy Bland, director of custodial services and waste management for Round Rock Independent School District Tim Bradley, vice president of facility solutions and packaging at Lindenmeyr Munroe Dominick Buchholz, director of internal operations for Buck Services Mark Bushey, associate director of channel management at Kimberly-Clark Professional Sarita Ceron S., quality control and compliance manager at Custom Cleaning and Management Services Corp. Dominique Cheatham, supervisor of day porter and general maintenance for Continuum Services Maggie Gottardi, director of technology for State Industrial Products Tyler Hands, executive vice president, C&C Cleaning Services Brin Hill, vice president of engineering and operations for Cobotiq Donnell Hines, regional operations manager at Integrity National Corporation Caden Hutchens, CEO of Otuvy Cristhian Inzunza, territory manager at Western Maintenance Sales Jaanika Kasemets, development manager at Puhastusekspert OÜ Caleb Lindsey, branch manager at Imperial Dade Sean Lynch, director of custodial services for UBC Facilities of Canada Vince Maione, director of sales and marketing for Smart Inspect Alessandra Massetti, technical sales specialist for Barentz N.A. Madison McEnroe, subject matter expert at Genesan Kelly Orchard, category manager at Network Distribution Joseph Papayanatos, senior manager of projects and human resources at CBS Maintenance Ltd. Mpule Carol Phophi, director of Tagline Group (Pty) Ltd. Phillip Recchia, brand manager at Reckitt | Lysol Pro Solutions Jacqueline Redlitz, senior digital and channel marketing manager and dial professional at Henkel Corp. Tomeika Rice, facility services supervisor in the city of Austin’s Department of Aviation Megan Russo, director of sales operations at BradyPLUS Adam Stathakis, chief operating officer of Stathakis Inc Michael Staver, chief operating officer and chief revenue officer of KleenMark Brett Tarquin, vice president of sales for Hospeco Brands Group Jayesh Vekariya, co-founder and chief innovation officer of joni For more information about the ISSA Emerging Leaders Program and the ISSA Rising Star Award, click here.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) on Monday named five new members to the panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine policy. The additions come ahead of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting this week to review guidance that could further reshape the federal vaccination policy on shots for hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV), and COVID-19, Reuters reported. In June, RFK removed all 17 ACIP members and replaced them with eight vaccine skeptics. One nominee stepped down during the vetting process due to a conflict of interest, leaving seven. With the five new appointments, the committee will now have 12 members. The new members also have questioned aspects of COVID-19 policies and vaccinations. Newly announced committee members include: Catherine Stein, an epidemiologist and professor at Case Western Reserve University. Evelyn Griffin, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Hillary Blackburn, director of medication access and affordability at AscensionRx. Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist with For Hearts and Souls Free Medical Clinic in Hawaii. Raymond Pollak, a surgeon and transplant immunobiologist. The new additions are expected to participate in the next ACIP meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday and Friday. CNN reported previous ACIP members have said that a review of new candidates, including their conflicts of interest, typically occurs before their appointment and takes two to three months.
Many of the pathogens linked to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are present on environmental surfaces, reinforcing the importance of environmental decontamination in healthcare settings. Hospital restrooms, in particular, require vigilant cleaning. HAI transmission methods include toilet flushing, which generates microbe-carrying particles into the air, which then settle on nearby surfaces or follow air currents. Through flushing, restroom users may come into contact with aerosolized organisms or pathogens. A study published by the Journal of Hospital Infection measured HAI risk potential through aerosolized particles by different types and surfaces of hospital restrooms. The experiment tested for harmful, bacterial pathogens in the restrooms of three different hospitals across touch sites, floors, and ceilings. The data provided evidence to inform restroom design, designation, and decontamination practices and also revealed potential HAI risks from healthcare toilets. Surprisingly, hand-touch sites tested the cleanest, followed consecutively by ceilings and floors. Moreover, researchers found a difference in cleanliness between female, male, and unisex restroom toilets—with the most pathogens found in unisex restroom toilets, followed by male restroom toilets. Similar pathogens found on floors and ceilings suggested aerosolization during flushing. Finally, the study reported higher levels of bioburden in patient restrooms, as opposed to staff and worker restrooms. Results indicated that cleaning frequencies should be increased in areas that tested for higher bioburden, such as in unisex and patient restrooms.