Tick-Borne Parasite Shows Up in U.S. Blood Supply

BY ANNA BURKART



ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN


You're watching multisource health video news analysis from Newsy.


A disease spread by ticks is spreading beyond its usual host, and into the US blood supply. The CDC warns the disease -- Babesia -- has been increasingly linked to blood transfusions.

A new study found 162 cases spread by blood transfusions since 1979, there is no FDA approved test that can spot the disease before people donate blood. In extreme cases it can cause organ failure and death. (FoxNews)

The problem with the parasitic infection is it's hard to detect. The CDC authors research shows, according to Medical News Today:

"Many individuals infected with babesia may feel fine; they have no symptoms. However, they can pass the infection on if they donate blood."

Channel 3000 reports possible warning signs for Babesia:

The CDC is advising physicians to keep babesiosis on their radar screen for patients with unexplained fevers, fatigue, or anemia. Babesiosis can be fatal for those with compromised immune systems.

TIME explains that the disease is spread by deer ticks. But -- the disease's reach has moved beyond ticks' usual habitat.

"About 87% of the transfusion-related transmissions recorded in the CDC report also occurred in these areas, but because blood products are shipped nationwide, the cases haven't been limited by geography.

While the sneaky disease spreads across the country through blood transfusions, a CDC specialist says there is no reason to worry:

"People should not be afraid to get blood transfusions... 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." (USA Today)

According to Medical News Today, the CDC is stressing the need for a screening test for Babesia. Medical diagnostic and device companies are currently working to develop tests for donor screening.


Transcript by Newsy.

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News & Politics

Tags:

• tick borne disease
• tick us blood supply
• tick borne parasite
• Babesiosis
• blood transfusion
• health news
• tick infection