Photo of babesia microti ifecting red blood cells on left and blacklegged tick on right
Photo of babesia microti ifecting red blood cells on left and blacklegged tick on right

Several tickborne diseases on the rise in U.S.

Although cases of tickborne babesiosis have been diagnosed in the U.S. since 1966, this disease only became nationally notifiable in 2011. A report of the first five years of babesiosis surveillance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an alarming increase in incidence.

Babesia is a genus of intracellular parasites that infects red blood cells (RBCs) (see Figure 1A). Infection is similar in structure and pathogenesis to malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites. However, Plasmodium is spread primarily by mosquitoes and is not endemic in the U.S., while Babesia most commonly is spread by Ixodes scapularis ticks (see Figure 1B) with transmission in many states (see Figure 2).

See the full article by Julia C. Haston, M.D., FAAP and  Larry K. Pickering, M.D., FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP here.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Why use a plastic bag when you can simply screw on this end cap, specifically designed for Sawyer water filters?

Mlango wa Zoe
Editor at Backpacker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange
Hiker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds.

Philip Werner
Author and Backpacker