Cases of tick-borne dangerous disease are becoming more frequent in New York: symptoms like COVID-19

If you experience symptoms similar to COVID-19 after camping in New York State, don't be quick to blame the coronavirus. In the region, the number of cases of anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease with symptoms similar to COVID-19, has increased. Fox News.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anaplasmosis is caused by bacteria primarily carried by ticks. The disease can lead to fever, headache, chills and muscle aches - all symptoms on the COVID-19 sign list. If untreated, anaplasmosis can be fatal. Recently, New York State has seen an increase in the incidence of this bacterial infection.

“Disease rates are indeed on the rise, especially in northeastern New York,” said Byron Buckenson, deputy director of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at the Regional Department of Public Health. "In some parts of the state, a very high percentage of ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis."

Beckenson added that warning the public about an outbreak of the disease was difficult due to the COVID-19 news epidemic.

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The number of people infected with anaplasmosis in New York State has tripled from 2009 to 2018. The disease is easy to detect, which significantly reduces the risk of death from it, since with proper and timely treatment it does not carry a lethal threat.

In addition to the recent increase in the number of infections, there is also the risk of people entering parks and other places of interest after quarantine is lifted, which many are tired of. If a person has not heard about the threat of anaplasmosis, then it is unlikely that he will take measures to avoid tick bites. In addition, people may not know what to do in case of a bite.

The State Department of Health created a page with tick protection guide.

There are videos that describe actions in different situations. For example, the video below talks about how to dress to minimize the risk of tick bites.

And here we are talking about the right way to remove the insect.