Babesiosis, 2011
Babesiosis is a malaria-like illness caused by the protozoan Babesia microti or other Babesia organisms. B. microti is transmitted to humans by bites from I. scapularis (the blacklegged tick or deer tick), the same vector that transmits the agents of Lyme disease, human anaplasmosis, one form of human ehrlichiosis, and a strain of Powassan virus. Babesia parasites can also be transmitted by blood transfusion.
In 2011, a record number of 72 confi
rmed and probable babesiosis cases
(1.4 per 100,000 population) were
reported, a 29% increase over the previous
record of 56 cases in 2010. The
median number of 27 cases (range, 9
to 73) reported from 2004 through 2011
is considerably higher than the median
number of 2 cases (range, 0 to 7) from
1996 to 2003. Fifty-two (72%) babesiosis
cases reported in 2011 were male.
The median age of cases was 59 years
(range, 3 to 90 years). Onsets of illness
peaked in the summer months, with 49
(69%) of 71 cases with known onset
occurring from June through August. In
2011, 27 (38%) cases were hospitalized
for their infection, for a median duration
of 4 days (range, 2 to 17 days). At least
1 reported case died from complications
of babesiosis in 2011.
- For up to date information see>> Babesiosis (Babesia microti)
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