Latest news with #Babesiosis
The Hill
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Lyme-disease isn't the only tick-borne threat. Doctors warn these other diseases are spreading
(NEXSTAR) – You've likely heard public health officials' repeated pleas to check yourself, your kids and your pets for tick bites, which can spread serious diseases. While Lyme disease gets the most attention – and affects the most people – there are other tick-borne bacteria and diseases that have also been found spreading in the U.S. Just last month, Connecticut researchers said they identified the first case of a longhorned tick infected with a pathogen called ehrlichia chaffeensis. Infections can give people fever chills, headaches, muscle aches and stomach issues. 'We also worry about a parasite called Babesia, which causes a disease called Babesiosis,' said Nicole Baumgarth, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in a recent briefing on tick-borne illnesses. The same ticks that carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease can carry this parasite, which then infects people's red blood cells, causing anemia and other 'very serious consequences,' Baumgarth said. Some people infected by the parasite may feel flu-like symptoms, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while others may have no symptoms at all. That's a problem if people live with the parasite and then donate their infected blood, which can cause harm to the people who receive it as a transfusion. Baumgarth also warned of viruses that can be spread by ticks, such as tick-borne encephalitis. It's an infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It's a bigger problem in Europe than in the U.S., she said, but here we have Heartland virus and Powassan virus to contend with. 'Both viruses are still very rare, but we have seen our first case of Heartland virus in Maryland last year, and the fact that we are now seeing these virus infections in areas that we haven't seen them before, it probably indicates the tip of the iceberg,' said Baumgarth. Because these viruses are rarer, and their symptoms can be non-specific, doctors don't usually think to test for them, Baumgarth explained. Many cases of Heartland and Powassan virus could be left uncounted as a result. 'So it would be rare that we diagnose it because we are not looking hard enough for it right now,' she said. Both viruses can present with generic first symptoms like fever, headache and vomiting, but can cause serious illness if left unchecked. Powassan virus could lead to seizures, loss of coordination and confusion in severe cases where the brain and spinal cord are impacted. Yet another concern is the tick that can cause people to become allergic to red meat if they're bitten. It's called alpha-gal syndrome and is caused by bites from the Lone Star tick, first identified in Texas. However, this type of tick is 'very aggressively' moving north and becoming a problem in other regions of the country, according to Baumgarth. Some of these rare viruses don't have a treatment or cure, so prevention is what's most important, the CDC says. You should avoid ticks by wearing long sleeves and pants in bushy and wooded areas, using bug repellent, and doing a thorough tick check after spending time outside.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
17,336 pet dogs registered in Ahmedabad since Jan 1; 490 Rottweilers
Of 17,336 pet dogs registered online by 15,260 pet owners across Ahmedabad since January 1, 490 are Rottweilers. The registration process started on January 1 this year. As per data maintained by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), Rottweiler is among the top ten breeds registered in the city. Not ruling out the possibility that this breed was mostly registered after the May 12 incident, CNCD Head of Department, Naresh Rajput, told The Indian Express: 'There is a possibility, but I would be able to confirm after going through the registration data.' On May 12, a pet Rottweiler named 'Rocky' mauled to death a four-month-old girl at Radheya Residency, a residential society in Ahmedabad's Hathijan area. The attack had also left the baby's aunt injured. The pet later died of Babesiosis disease on May 27. So far, 4,947 Labradors have been regitered in the city, followed by 1,849 German Shepherds, 1,743 Shih Tzus, 1,711 Golden Retrievers, 1,394 Pomeranians, 728 Beagles, 560 Siberian Huskies, and 512 Pugs. The highest number of registration was recorded in the west zone with over 4,430 dogs registered by around 3,872 owners, followed by northwest zone where over 3,494 pet dogs were registered by around 3048 owners. The online registration of pet dogs was mandated by the AMC under the 'Rabies-Free Ahmedabad City-2030' campaign. While the initial deadline was May 31, it was later extended till June 30. The deadline had been extended twice before that. Owners getting their dogs registered during June 1-30 will have to pay Rs 500 per pet against. Earlier, owners were charged a fee of Rs 200 per dog.
Indian Express
01-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Over 15,000 pet dogs registered in Ahmedabad since Jan 1; 64% in last 18 days
Over 64 per cent of the total registrations of pet dogs recorded in Ahmedabad city since January 1 were done barely in last 18 days. Of the 15,476 registrations recorded till May 31, 9,928 were done in the last 18 days — between May 14 and 31 — shortly after a pet Rottweiler in the city mauled a four-month-old girl to death on May 12. The attack reported in Radheya Residency, a residential society in Ahmedabad's Hathijan, had also left the child's aunt injured. The pet later died of Babesiosis disease on May 27. As per the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC's) Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD) data, 8,780 owners registered 9,928 pet dogs in 18 days. 'This is against last three and a half months since the online pet dog registrations were launched by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on January 1, 2025. Till May 13, a total of 4,874 owners registered 5,548 pet dogs,' CNCD Head of Department Naresh Rajput told The Indian Express. The trend also revealed that the highest daily registrations were reported on May 16 and 17 and then when approaching the deadline, on May 29, 30 and 31. On May 31, the AMC, which mandated online registration of pets under the 'Rabies-free Ahmedabad city-2030' campaign, has extended the deadline by another month. Previously, this deadline was extended twice. However, this time, the registration fee of Rs 200 per dog has been increased to Rs 500 from June 1 till 30 and owners have to compulsorily register their pet dogs by applying online on the official website. There is not a single Rottwielier among the 5,520 pet dogs registered by 4,848 owners. As per AMC data, among the registered breeds are German Shepherd (Alsatian), Labrador, Golden Retriever, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Pug, Doberman, Siberian Husky. The highest registration was reported from the west zone where over 3,300 dogs were registered by nearly 2,900 owners, followed by north west zone where over 2,700 pet dogs were registered by nearly 2,400 owners.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Ahmedabad: Pet Rottweiler that mauled infant to death dies of Babesiosis
Over two weeks after it allegedly mauled a four-month-old girl, resulting in her death, and injured her aunt in a residential society in Ahmedabad, a Rottweiler pet dog died of Babesiosis disease on Tuesday. The dog, Rocky, had attacked the infant in Radheya Residency society in Ahmedabad's Hathijan area on May 12. Following the attack, the dog was taken away by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). AMC's Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), in an official statement, said that Rocky was undergoing necessary treatment at a veterinary hospital in Bodakdev when, around 1.45 pm on Tuesday, it died. Following a test, Rocky tested positive for blood protozoan disease Babesiosis, which is fatal. Following the attack on the infant, the dog was rescued by the CNCD team and taken to AMC-run Dog Rescue Welfare Centre in Danilimda where its daily feeding, monitoring and medical treatment was being undertaken under Superintendent Divyesh P Solanki and veterinary doctors besides teams of CNCD, dog behaviour, training, treatment and care specialists. On May 19, the dog was taken to Paws Universe, a private multispecialty veterinary hospital, for treatment after reporting tick fever. The civic body said it would bear the cost of medical treatment, investigation, dog trainers and experts besides NGOs involved in looking after Rocky. After the infant's death, an FIR was registered against the dog owner at Vivekananda Nagar Police Station, Hathijan, on May 13. AMC authorities claimed that they had informed the dog owner, Dlilipbhai Patel, about its death and asked him to be present for the post-mortem as well as cremation. However, when Patel did not arrive, the post-mortem examination was performed as per the rules. Rocky was buried in a pit around 3 pm on Tuesday at Gyaspur carcass depot, as per the rules, in the presence of the teams concerned, AMC stated.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Newsweek
Lilly and Jack Sullivan face 'Unbelievable Conditions' Amid Search Review
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Missing children Lilly and Jack Sullivan and the people searching for them are facing "unbelievable conditions," according to the Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association (GSRA). The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) told the public they are assessing and reviewing their search from the weekend of May 17 and 18 in order to plan future steps. Lilly, 6, and Jack, 4, went missing from their Nova Scotia home on May 2 and are believed to have wandered into the heavily wooded area surrounding their home. Sherry Veinot, President of the Nova Scotia GSRA, told Newsweek that this area is "almost impassable" due to fallen trees from Hurricane Fiona in 2022. Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, District Commander Pictou County District, RCMP, speaks to reporters about the search for Lily Sullivan and Jack Sullivan, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, District Commander Pictou County District, RCMP, speaks to reporters about the search for Lily Sullivan and Jack Sullivan, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Ron Ward/The Canadian Press via AP The Context The Nova Scotia GSRA has been assisting the RCMP alongside more than 115 people in their search for the missing children. The search started as a wide search of the area, but was narrowed down on May 7. Despite the more localized focus, the children have still not been found. One search manager, Amy Hansen, said she did not anticipate the RCMP would continue their search on Monday, May 19. It is unclear at this time whether a search party went out on the 19th. If one did, the RCMP has not publicized it. The RCMP has been contacted via email for comment. What To Know According to police descriptions, Lilly has shoulder-length light brown hair with bangs. She might be wearing a pink sweater, pink pants, and pink boots. Jack has short blondish hair. He was last seen wearing blue dinosaur boots, but no other clothing description is available. They both attend Salt Springs Elementary. They were last seen at school on April 29. They did not have school on April 30, and were home sick on May 1 and 2. They live on Gairloch Road in Nova Scotia, a rural and wooded area. "It is all deadfalls and trees on top of one another, meaning searchers [are] either having to climb over or crawl under them," explained Veinot to Newsweek. Veniot also said that it is currently the height of Nova Scotia's tick season. Ticks can carry several infections with them, including Lyme Disease, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA), Babesiosis, and Powassan virus. Lyme Disease contraction is the highest risk faced from a tick bite. It can result in a rash, fever, and muscle pain, and if left untreated, can cause facial paralysis and nervous system disorders. Veniot's team is looking for clues via prints, clothing, and any indication of objects carried by the missing children. Amy Hansen, Search Manager, speaks to reporters about the search for Lily Sullivan, 6, and Jack Sullivan, 4, Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Amy Hansen, Search Manager, speaks to reporters about the search for Lily Sullivan, 6, and Jack Sullivan, 4, Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Ron Ward/The Canadian Press via AP What People Are Saying Sherry Veniot told Newsweek: "This search has taken a toll on searchers both physically and emotionally, and we are all hoping for a resolution." Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, Pictou County District RCMP, said in a press release: "We extend our sincere appreciation to the search and rescue volunteers who have selflessly given up over 10,000 hours of their time since this search began. Their tireless commitment in truly gruelling conditions is appreciated by both the RCMP and the greater community." What Happens Next The RCMP's latest search efforts are being reviewed and assessed for future planning.
