English: This historic photograph showed the former Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director, David J. Sencer , M.D., M.P.H., during his Directorship, in his office as he was pointing to a piece of artwork depicting what appear to be Triatomine sp. , or "kissing bugs", which are known to transmit "Chagas disease". Dr. Sencer held the CDC Director’s position from 1966 until 1977. Also called "American trypanosomiasis" (tri-PAN-o-so-MY-a-sis), Chagas disease is an infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi . Worldwide, it is estimated that 16 to 18 million people are infected with Chagas disease; of those infected, 50,000 will die each year.