Americus in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Deadly Insects

Habitat for Humanity

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 7, 2014

1. Deadly Insects Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Reduviid--or "kissing"--bugs live in the walls and cracks of houses in South and Central America. By depositing feces on a person's skin, the kissing bug transmits a deadly disease know as Chagas.

An estimated 16 to 18 million people are currently infected with Chagas disease. On-third of those infected will develop chronic symptoms such as cardiac or digestive problems.

Chagas disease kills an estimated 50,000 people each year--mostly affecting low-income families who live in poorly built thatch, mud or adobe houses.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work.

Location. 32° 4.234′ N, 84° 14.468′ W. Marker is in Americus, Georgia, in Sumter County. Marker is on Church Street. Marker is on the grounds of Habitat for Humanity. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Americus GA 31709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to Latin America/Caribbean (a few steps from this marker); Poverty Housing: A Global Epidemic (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Asia/Pacific

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(within shouting distance of this marker); How blocks are made (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Africa/Middle East (within shouting distance of this marker); Sumter County Courthouse Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Luther H. Story (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sumter County in the Civil Rights Movement (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Americus.

Interior of home. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 7, 2014

2. Interior of home.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 7, 2014

3. Interior of home.

Shacks of people living in poverty. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 7, 2014

4. Shacks of people living in poverty.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 367 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 23, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.