Surge in U.S. Malaria Cases Raises Alarm
A study by Penn State researchers reveals that cases of babesiosis, a tick-borne disease often called "American malaria," have increased by 9% annually in the U.S. from 2015 to 2022. Nearly half of those affected were also co-infected with other tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, though co-infection does not increase mortality risk. The study highlights the importance of preventive measures in high-risk areas, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, and suggests that doxycycline, commonly used for Lyme disease, may also be effective against babesiosis.
