Tickborne disease on the rise

By Linda Cicoira

A study published last week in the Journal of Medical Entomology documents human cases of the tickborne disease, Babesiosis, the presence of the parasite that causes the disease in local tick populations, and a growing public health threat for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

The research was submitted by a retired federal public health worker who lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Twenty-one of her colleagues joined her in the study.

“The findings underscore the need for increased surveillance, public awareness, and preventive measures against tick-borne diseases in the … region,” said Ellen Stromdahl, of Harborton. “Healthcare providers should consider babesiosis in the differential diagnosis for patients (having or showing symptoms of a fever) … particularly during peak tick activity seasons.”

April is generally considered the start of tick season. However, local residents have been known to find ticks in the winter.

The journal is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing research on insects, ticks, and other arthropods of medical and veterinary importance. It provides critical insights into vector-borne diseases, parasite ecology, and public health implications worldwide.

“Let us get the word out about babesiosis so we can help save lives,” the lead author wrote in an email over the weekend.

Babesiosis is a disease caused by parasites transmitted to one’s red blood cells. Symptoms can include flu-like illness, hemolytic anemia, and, in severe cases, complications like organ failure or death.

Tick-borne illnesses can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Some common examples include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. Other less common but still significant tick-borne illnesses include babesiosis, tularemia, and Powassan virus disease.

The study confirms that babesiosis, historically concentrated in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, is now expanding. The research highlights an increasing number of locally acquired human cases. Cases were reported in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. It was detected in ticks in those regions and Delaware.

      Babesiosis can be severe in the elderly or immunocompromised, especially when patients have concurrent infections with the pathogenic spirochete responsible for Lyme disease. Diagnosis can be difficult, as the disease is rare. Babesiosis might be misdiagnosed or treated empirically with antibiotics typically prescribed for Lyme disease or anaplasmosis, such as doxycycline. However, antibiotics alone are not effective against babesiosis, making early and accurate diagnosis crucial.