Tick-borne Babesiosis on the Rise in Northern US

Babesiosis, a tick-borne disease, is now considered endemic in northern New England, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The disease, which can cause mild to severe illness and even death, is transmitted by the same ticks that carry Lyme disease. Researchers attribute the spread of babesiosis to climate change and milder winters in the region. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire have experienced the largest increase in cases, prompting the CDC to add them to the list of states where the disease is endemic. There is no vaccine for babesiosis, and the CDC recommends taking precautions to avoid tick bites.