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Babesiosis
What is babesiosis?
Babesiosis is a rare, severe and sometimes fatal tick-borne disease
caused by an infection with a red blood cell parasite.
Who gets babesiosis?
Babesiosis is seen most frequently in the elderly or in immunocompromised
individuals. Cases of this disease have been reported during spring,
summer and fall in coastal areas in the northeastern United States,
especially Nantucket Island off the Massachusetts shore and on Long
Island, New York. Cases have also been reported in Wisconsin, California,
Georgia and some European countries. Severe cases of babesiosis can
occur in people who have had their spleen removed.
How is babesiosis spread?
Babesiosis is caused by Babesia microti, a parasite transmitted by
the bite of an infected deer tick. The tick is carried by meadow voles,
mice and deer. Transmission to humans generally occurs from the bite
of the nymph, while the adult tick generally feeds on deer. Transmission
can also occur via contaminated blood transfusion.
What are the symptoms of babesiosis?
The disease can cause fever, fatigue and hemolytic anemia lasting
from several days to several months. Infections can occur without producing
symptoms.
How soon do symptoms appear?
It may take from one to 12 months for symptoms to appear; less time
for immunocompromised people.
Does past infection with babesiosis make a person immune?
It is not known whether past infection with babesiosis can make a
person immune.
What is the treatment for babesiosis?
Standardized treatments for babesiosis have not been developed. However,
some drugs used in the treatment of malaria have been found to be effective
in a few patients with babesiosis.
What can be done to prevent the spread of babesiosis?
It is important to control rodents around human habitation and to
use tick repellents. It is helpful to wear light colored clothing (so
you can see ticks and brush them off before they attach to your skin)
and to tuck pants into socks when walking through tick-infested areas.
Updated: April 1996
Source: NY State Department of Health
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