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Overview:
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Babesiosis is a tick-borne
disease caused by malaria-like parasites of the genus Babesia.
These single-celled organisms invade red blood cells and may cause
fatigue, aches, fever, chills, sweating, dark urine, enlarged
spleen, or anemia. Infections can range from no serious symptoms
to fatal disease. Tracking Babesia infections is difficult due to
the number of asymptomatic infections. Babesiosis was first
reported as "Texas cattle fever" around the turn of the
century.
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Vector:
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Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
Blacklegged Tick (other Ixodes ticks)
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Causative Agent:
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Babesia equi
Babesia microti
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Endemic Area:
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Coastal areas of the northeast and West coast.
Other areas of Northeast including Dutchess County, NY
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Incubation Period:
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1-52 weeks
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Classic Symptoms:
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Fever, hemolytic anemia, constitutional symptions,
possible death
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Lab Test(s):
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Thick & thin blood smears, serologic test(s)
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Treatment:
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Anti-malarial drugs, Quinine, Antibiotics (Clindamycin)
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