Health

Tick-Borne Crisis: ‘American Malaria’ Cases Skyrocket

A new tick-borne disease, babesiosis, is spreading rapidly across the US, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest.

United States: A tick-borne disease similar to malaria has been spreading across the United States, and it is biologically known as babesiosis. The concerns related to this new malaria-like disease have increased during the time when the majority of people are dealing with Lyme disease.

The prevalence of babesiosis, a parasitic ailment transmitted by ticks, has surged by approximately 9 percent annually within the United States between 2015 and 2022, with an alarming four out of ten patients also harboring co-infections from other tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. This stark data emerges from recent research conducted by Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine, according to the reports by scitechdaily.com.

“These results underscore the necessity for healthcare professionals to remain acutely aware of the possibility of co-infections when managing cases of babesiosis,” stated Paddy Ssentongo, an infectious disease fellow at Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center and the principal author of the study. “Ticks serve as vectors for various pathogens that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis.”

This research was published on October 8 in the Open Forum Infectious Diseases journal.

Unpacking Babesiosis and Its Mode of Transmission

Babesiosis, colloquially referred to as “American malaria,” is triggered by the Babesia parasite, primarily transmitted through the bites of black-legged ticks, especially in the Northeastern and Midwestern regions of the US. Much like malaria, Babesia invades and destroys red blood cells, eliciting several overlapping clinical manifestations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that while some individuals remain asymptomatic, others endure flu-like symptoms. The disease can be particularly lethal for older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems or those without a spleen.

#Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus symptoms usually appear between 3-30 days after a bite from an infected blacklegged (deer) tick.

If you develop symptoms, call your local #PublicHealth unit or health care provider promptly.https://t.co/D3c5Y2pzoS pic.twitter.com/OfZkQvS7y5
— Renfrew County and District Health Unit (@RCDHealthUnit) October 1, 2024

“Comprehending the factors driving the persistence and emergence of vector-borne diseases is paramount for global health initiatives,” commented Ssentongo.

The CDC has observed an uptick in babesiosis cases, which Ssentongo attributes, in part, to the ramifications of climate change. Shifts in temperature, humidity, precipitation, and the lengthening of seasons have altered the habitat range of ticks and the animals that serve as reservoir hosts, such as deer, allowing for the spread of ticks across previously unaffected areas, as per reports by scitechdaily.com.

Probing Disease Prevalence and Mortality Implications

The research team embarked on a study to evaluate the current prevalence of babesiosis and the incidence of Babesia co-infections, in addition to assessing the impact of co-infections on mortality risk. By leveraging the TriNetX database, an expansive national repository comprising clinical patient data from over 250 million individuals, they pinpointed 3,521 patients diagnosed with babesiosis between October 2015 and December 2022.

Their findings revealed that the incidence of babesiosis escalated by approximately 9 percent annually, with the majority of cases peaking during the summer and predominantly occurring in Northeastern states. Alarmingly, 42 percent of those diagnosed with babesiosis were also infected with one or more additional tick-borne pathogens. Of these, 41 percent had Lyme disease, while 3.7 percent and 0.3 percent were co-infected with the bacteria responsible for ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, respectively.

The team also explored whether co-infections heightened the risk of complications or poorer health outcomes. Contrary to expectations, they found no significant difference between the babesiosis-only group and the co-infected group regarding complications. However, they noted a higher mortality risk among the babesiosis-only cohort.

Therapeutic Approaches and Preventive Measures

“Surprisingly, the co-existence of babesiosis and Lyme disease did not correlate with increased mortality,” Ssentongo observed. “It is hypothesized that co-infections might potentially bolster the immune system’s response, enabling a more robust defense against pathogens,” as per the reports by scitechdaily.com.

🦠🔬 New study from @PennStHershey reveals a 9% annual rise in babesiosis cases from 2015-2022, with nearly half co-infected with Lyme disease. Stay vigilant and practice tick-bite prevention! #TickBorneDiseases https://t.co/LPCr0csY2h
— Armed Forces Pest Management Board (@afpmb) October 8, 2024

Ssentongo added that disparities in outcomes may also be linked to the varied treatment regimens for tick-borne diseases. The research revealed that patients with co-infections were more frequently treated with doxycycline, the first-line antibiotic for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. In contrast, patients with babesiosis alone were less likely to receive this treatment. This observation raises a critical question: Could doxycycline also be effective against the Babesia parasite?

Currently, the standard treatment for babesiosis is dictated by the severity of the infection and generally consists of a combination of azithromycin and atovaquone. In more severe cases involving organ dysfunction, a red blood cell exchange, where diseased blood cells are replaced with healthy ones, may be employed. However, the survival benefits of this procedure have yet to be fully investigated.

“At our medical center, we add doxycycline to babesiosis treatment regimens when investigating the possibility of concurrent Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections, and we’ve observed better outcomes with this protocol,” Ssentongo noted.

He pointed to anecdotal evidence from other case reports that suggest babesiosis may respond to doxycycline. Nevertheless, further research is required to unravel the intricate physiological pathways governing co-infections and how these insights might inform future therapeutic strategies.

Above all, Ssentongo emphasized that prevention remains the most effective defense against tick-borne diseases, as per scitechdaily.com.

“If you reside in regions where babesiosis is endemic, particularly in the Northeastern and Midwestern states, you should adopt preventive measures, especially during the summer. Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants, and opt for light-colored garments to easily spot ticks. Apply tick repellents and conduct thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors,” Ssentongo advised.

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News

Every U.S. Rice Sample Tested Shows Arsenic, Cadmium, or Lead

Be smart about the rice you consume and how you prepare it to reduce your loved ones’ intake of potentially dangerous heavy metals.

United States: A new study by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures has uncovered that many rice brands sold in U.S. supermarkets—especially in cities like New York and Miami—contain measurable and potentially dangerous levels of heavy metals. Every single rice sample tested had detectable arsenic, with one-quarter exceeding FDA limits set for infant rice cereal, as reported by HealthDay.

Infant Rules Don’t Apply to All

Although the FDA implemented a maximum arsenic level for infant rice cereal in 2021, no such rule exists for regular rice consumed by millions—including toddlers and young children. Researchers stress this loophole as a public health concern.

Major Brands, Major Findings

The report tested rice from 145 brands including Trader Joe’s, Ben’s, and Goya. Results showed heavy metal concentrations ranging from 63 to 188 parts per billion (ppb), with some samples reaching as high as 240 ppb. Arsenic was the most commonly found, followed by cadmium.

TOXIC ARSENIC IN RICE INCREASES WITH TEMPERATURE & CO2
Multiple very bad health effects.
Risk already recognized
Danger limit being exceededhttps://t.co/MIa4xewDK0 #rice #climatechange. #globalwarming pic.twitter.com/Q7pTPlqcrm
— Peter D Carter (@PCarterClimate) May 16, 2025

Industry Response: Consumers Deserve Reassurance

The USA Rice Federation acknowledged consumer concerns but insisted current arsenic levels in rice pose no significant public health risk, as reported by HealthDay.

How to Reduce Your Risk

The report offers key tips for safer consumption:

Cook it like pasta: Drown your rice in water (6–10 cups per 1 cup of rice) and let it brew.

Switch it up: Switch to grains such as quinoa, barley, or couscous, since they contain less heavy metals.

Pick safer varieties: Look for white rice from California, sushi rice, Thai jasmine, or Basmati rice from India. Stay away from brown rice, Southern-grown white rice and arborio rice imported from Italy (Suggested Alternative: Skip those three varieties as they may contain higher levels of metals).

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News

Houston Wastewater Detected Measles Weeks Before Outbreak, Study Finds

Early detection and prevention of measles can be done by monitoring for the virus in wastewater.

United States: Measles virus showed up in Houston’s sewage water several weeks before the big measles outbreak happened in Texas in January, according to a new study.

Early Warning Signs in Wastewater

Wastewater samples taken on Jan. 7 were found to have measles virus DNA in them, which was reported by scientists in the American Journal of Public Health, as reported by HealthDay.

According to the researchers, the City of Houston Health Department found and reported two cases of measles in adults not vaccinated for the disease on January 17th. The survey is based on people living in the same areas where the water treatment plants supplied water.

Measles Resurgence in Texas

In all, 717 people in Texas had measles as of May 13, reported the Texas Department of State Health Services. Two children who have not been vaccinated have died.

#Measles in the #Sewers? #WastewaterSurveillance Offers Early Warning for #Outbreaks. #Houston @BCMTailorLabs @saracregeen @MikeTisza @bcmhouston @TEPHI_Texas @RiceUNews @UTHealthSPH #AJPH https://t.co/RNxDxBIaFV @DiscoverMag pic.twitter.com/xrlAPDCbsY
— From the Labs at Baylor College of Medicine (@BCMFromtheLabs) May 15, 2025

“With lessons learned from the Houston measles detection event, we are now working with our public health partners to gather data on the current measles outbreak in West Texas,” lead researcher Michael Tisza, an assistant professor of molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said in a news release.

“Our program has been monitoring measles in wastewater from those sites as well, hoping the information can help officials get ahead of this virus,” Tisza said.

The sampled Houston treatment plans help more than 218,000 people, according to the researchers.

Researchers found that testing wastewater before an outbreak revealed that these methods can prepare officials for an infectious disease.

Wastewater Testing: A Promising Public Health Tool

“Systematically sequencing the genetic material in wastewater reveals dynamic changes in human viruses circulating in a community,” senior researcher Anthony Maresso, chair of molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor, said in a news release.

“Importantly, analyzing these viral changes in wastewater can improve our understanding of outbreaks and transmission and inform public health preparedness, just as one uses meteorological data to better understand and predict weather patterns to anticipate potentially dangerous conditions,” Maresso said.

According to the researchers, there had not been any measles viruses found in any of the 821 wastewater samples collected in Houston in the past 31 months.

“Because no other cases have been reported and the detections occurred in the same area where the travelers resided, it is reasonable to assume that the measles signal detected in wastewater is from the two infected cases, which underscores the high sensitivity of the method,” Maresso said.

Vaccination Still the Best Defense

Co-researcher Eric Boerwinkle, dean of the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, said that “this work underscores the ability of sophisticated wastewater analyses to serve as an early detection system benefitting public health, healthcare, and communities in preventing a measles outbreak in Houston.”

If they haven’t already, Boerwinkle advised individuals to acquire the measles vaccine, as reported by HealthDay.

The best way to stop the contagion of measles is the MMR vaccine, since it has already proven to be both safe and effective.

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Health

Your Smartphone Might Predict How Well You Recover from Injury

With more smartphone data, there will be better ways to predict and guide recovery in orthopedics.

United States: According to a study published on May 9 in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, smartphone data — including step count, walking speed, and gait — can predict how well someone recovers from bone or hip injuries. The findings suggest that mobility patterns before an injury may offer powerful insights into a patient’s post-surgical progress, as reported by HealthDay.

Data That Speaks Volumes

The study, led by Dr. Brian Shear at the University of Maryland Medical Center, followed 107 adults who had previously undergone surgery for a broken leg or hip. Using data from participants’ Apple iPhones, researchers analyzed their pre-injury activity levels — specifically, their steps, speed, and gait — and compared it with their recovery progress.

Patients who were more active before their injury tended to recover faster and return to mobility more easily. “This novel approach has the power to reshape how orthopedic care is delivered,” Dr. Shear explained.

A New Era of Personalized Rehab

The study found that patients with higher daily step counts before their injury had better recovery outcomes. Likewise, those with faster walking speeds and consistent gait patterns pre-injury also healed more effectively — highlighting the predictive value of everyday mobility metrics.

With this knowledge, doctors are able to plan treatments better, detect possible issues in patients’ progress earlier, and give patients more precise timelines for recovery.

Expanding the Technology’s Use

Senior researcher Nathan O’Hara, associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, announced plans to broaden the study’s scope to include other areas of orthopedics like sports medicine, joint replacement, and shoulder or foot surgery, as reported by HealthDay.

An app is also under development to support this initiative, with multicenter clinical trials expected to begin later this year.

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