Chagas disease is an anthropozoonosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted through the feces of blood-feeding bugs (triatomes) of the Reduviidae family, which are deposited on the skin or mucous membranes during a blood meal. There is a significant animal reservoir (wild and domestic mammals). Human infection can occur through vector transmission, transplacental and digestive routes, blood transfusion or organ transplantation, and accidentally. The disease progresses in two phases. The acute phase, often with few symptoms, generally goes unnoticed. It is followed by the chronic phase. The majority of patients remain asymptomatic throughout their lives. In nearly one-third of cases, cardiac, digestive, or neurological complications arise 10 to 25 years later. Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina. In French Guiana, the prevalence of infection has been estimated at between 0.25% and 0.5% (500 to 1,000 infected individuals) based on a sample of serum collected from 1992 to 1998. Between 2000 and 2009, 192 cases were diagnosed. "Human-vector" contact is occasional there, as the vector does not inhabit homes. However, it is very prevalent in forest patches near residential areas (infestation rates of 46 to 86%) and its elimination will be impossible. Therefore, the fight against Chagas disease relies more on individual protection, blood transfusion screening, prevention of congenital transmission, diagnosis, and treatment of cases than on vector control. (R.A.)