Anaplasmosis: Dangerous Tick-borne Disease Surges in New York
'02.07.2021'
Lyudmila Balabay
Two counties in New York State have reported a sharp increase in cases of anaplasmosis. It is a rare and dangerous disease carried by ticks and is seeing a surge in the region this year. Yahoo.
Health officials in Onondaga County, New York, are warning residents of a surge in anaplasmosis. The county health commissioner said Thursday, July 1, that six cases of anaplasmosis have already been reported in 2021. At the same time, over the previous five years, this disease was diagnosed in only three people in the district.
In addition, one case was reported in Oswego County, where the disease occurs even less frequently than in Onondaga.
What is anaplasmosis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anaplasmosis is a bacterial disease transmitted to humans through the bites of black-legged or western black-footed ticks. Symptoms usually appear within one to two weeks of being bitten and may include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
On the subject: How to properly treat a tick bite and when to see a doctor
If anaplasmosis is not treated, then more serious symptoms may develop further:
- respiratory failure;
- problems with blood clotting;
- failure of some organs.
In exceptional cases, you can die from anaplasmosis, especially if treatment is not started on time. Older people and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk.
How to protect yourself from anaplasmosis
In New York State, the disease is spread by the black-legged tick, the same type of tick that spreads Lyme disease. That is, protection against both infections will be the same - you need to avoid tick bites.
On the subject: Lyme disease ticks in New York: how to protect yourself and what to do if infected
To do this, wear closed shoes, light-colored long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt during outdoor activities (mites are easier to spot on light-colored fabrics. In addition, you should consider using insect repellants containing DEET. When you get home, carefully inspect clothes and body .
