A new study says Chagas, the "kissing bug disease," should be considered endemic in the U.S after finding it in eight states. Also known as the kissing bug disease, it is caused by a parasite in the triatomine bug (or kissing bug). What Is the Kissing Bug Disease? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that Chagas disease is caused by triatomine bugs, commonly referred to as kissing bugs. The kissing bug disease has been reported in eight states: California, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Arkansas.