disease information
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Babesiosis |
Protozoa that are carried by ticks cause babesiosis. Many individuals that get the disease do not have symptoms. Serious symptoms can occur, especially in immunosuppressed individuals or people who are co-infected with Lyme disease.
There were 11 confirmed cases of babesiosis reported in Maine for 2007. The majority of the individuals lived in York and Cumberland Counties, but there were two cases further inland (Kennebec and Franklin Counties). The infection in Franklin County was attributed to an out-of-state exposure to the disease. The remaining three counties have recorded high deer tick populations, which was the suspected cause for most of the infections. Only one individual appeared to have been exposed to babesiosis through other risk factors such as blood transfusions. The remaining cases were attributed to a tick bite. Those cases that were suspected of being from a tick exposure had a date of onset between May and August. The number of cases has doubled every year from 2001 to 2005, except in 2006 when the number of confirmed cases decreased.
To avoid contracting babesiosis, use insect repellents (DEET or permethrin containing products) according to directions, and check for ticks regularly. If an engorged tick is found, it should be identified or saved for later identification if symptoms occur to determine if it is a tick capable of carrying babesiosis.
Source: Reportable Infectious Diseases in Maine: 2007 Summary