CDC Warning: Babesiosis From Tick Parasite Threatening U.S. Blood Supply

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a warning about babesiosis, an illness born from the babesia tick parasite which they say is more prevalent than doctors realize. According to the CDC the illness is transmitted through blood transfusions and has infected at least 122 people since 2000.

The organization notes that the findings don’t mean blood transfusions are dangerous, simply that doctors should be more aware of the risks.

According to Barbara Herwaldt, a specialist in parasitic diseases at the CDC:

“People should not be afraid to get blood transfusions,” while she adds, ”In the big picture this is a small possibility, but it’s something important that we want people to be aware of, because it can be life threatening and it is treatable.”

The babesia parasite is carried by the common deer tick.

In many patients the infection only causes mild symptoms, however in some cases when the infection reaches the infected persons red blood cells symptoms can increase to fever, chills and muscle pain, while extreme causes can cause blood cell destruction, organ failure and death.

The main concern raised by CDC officials is that the number of transfusions associated with the babesia infection are on the rise and have been witnessed even in states where ticks carrying the babesia virus are not typically found.

Unfortunately at this time the Food and Drug Administration does not have an approved test to check for parasites in blood supplies, instead doctors must check if their donors have flu-like symptoms and tick bites.