Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says rare tick-borne disease babesiosis is on the rise in the northeastern US: here’s why
Lyme disease may be the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the US, but it is not the only one.
babesiosis, and rare tick-borne parasitic diseasejumps in some states.
The CDC reported on Friday that cases of babesiosis increased significantly between 2011 and 2019 in some northeastern states.
During this time, 16,456 cases were reported in 37 states. Eight US states saw notable growth.
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The biggest jumps were seen in Vermont (1.602%from two to 34 cases), Maine (1422%, from nine to 138 cases), New Hampshire (372%, from 13 to 78 cases) and Connecticut (338%, from 74 to 328 cases).
Growth was also seen in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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Babesiosis is a disease that occurs when a microscopic parasite, babesiosis, infects red blood cells.
At MarkAlain Déry, DO, MPH, Infectious Diseases Physician and Director of Innovation Access to healthcare in Louisianawas not surprised to hear of an increase in tick-borne disease.
The CDC has reported that a tick-borne parasitic disease, babesiosis, is flaring up in some northeastern states. (iStock)
In an interview with Fox News Digital, he said this has been going on for over a decade in the infectious disease community.
“As we’ve seen more effects changing of the climatewe expected that we would probably start to see various pathogens start to expand their ecological niche,” said Dr. Deri.
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“Not only have we seen an increase in cases in states where it was already endemic, but we have also seen new endemic states, mostly in the New England area.”
He added that babesiosis is most common in warm and humid areas.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if I see other viral diseases are also on the rise, like chikungunya, dengue or yellow fever, or parasitic infections like malaria,” Deri said.
“Even one degree difference in temperature is enough for pathogens to expand their reach.”
“As the climate gets warmer, it’s more likely that pathogens we don’t normally see in the US will enter the country.”
“Even one degree difference in temperature is enough for pathogens to expand their reach,” he added.
Babesiosis and Lyme: one transmission, different diseases
Transmitted by black-footed ticks or deer, babesiosis is most prevalent in some northeastern and states of the upper midwestmostly during the warm season, according to the CDC website.
Lyme disease is transmitted by the same ticks, but it’s a bacterium, not a parasite.
Babesiosis is most common in warm, humid places, according to Fox News Digital, an infectious disease doctor. (iStock)
“In areas where Lyme is common, you’re also likely to see babesiosis,” the doctor said. Deri.
These two diseases share some common symptoms.
Lyme, however, causes a characteristic bull’s-eye rash, which does not occur with babesiosis. (According to medical experts, not everyone with Lyme disease will develop a rash.)
Warning signs of babesiosis
Some of the most common symptoms of babesiosis mimic colds and fluwhich may mean that many cases remain undetected.
Infected people may experience fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, headache, cough, muscle aches and sore throat.
In more extreme cases, Dr. Deri said patients may experience liver and spleen enlargement, jaundice or vision changes.
Infected people may experience fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, headache, cough, muscle aches and sore throat.
Very rarely, high-risk patients may suffer from respiratory distressheart failure, renal failure, or multiple organ failure.
Some of the most common symptoms of babesiosis mimic cold and flu symptoms, which can mean many cases go undiagnosed. (iStock)
Patients at highest risk are those who have had a splenectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a damaged or diseased spleen.
“When a protective parasite enters the system, it goes through several cycles inside the body,” says the doctor. Deri explained.
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“One of the last cycles is the passage through the spleen, which helps to attack the parasite that lives inside the red blood cells. risk of parasitemia when the parasite enters the bloodstream.”
Other high-risk groups include people living with HIV, people over 55, young children, or people taking immunosuppressant drugs to treat autoimmune diseases, the doctor said.
Wearing long trousers and long sleeves and using insect repellant will help repel infested ticks. (iStock)
“In the vast majority of people, babesiosis proceeds in the same way as the flu,” the doctor said.
Anyone diagnosed with the condition should seek treatment, the doctor said. Deri.
“Unlike a viral cold or mild case of COVIDthis is what you have to treat,” he said.
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The most common drugs are antimicrobials with antiparasitic properties, such as azithromycin and atovaquone.
With treatment, babesiosis patients usually recover completely within 7 to 10 days.
Education, the key to prevention
For those who live in or travel to states where babesiosis is endemic, avoiding forested areas is the best way to prevent infection.
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Spending time outdoors, Dr. Deri recommends wearing long pants, long sleeves, and ankle-covering shoes and socks.
Using insect repellants will also help repel infested mites.