The Epinhood (TEH)

PRO/AH/EDR> Babesiosis – Estonia

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BABESIOSIS – ESTONIA
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Date: Thu 13 Jun 2024 03:31 EEST
Source: ERR – Estonia [abridged, edited] https://news.err.ee/1609369922/new-tick-borne-disease-reaches-estonia

A new tick-borne disease called babesiosis, caused by a single-celled
parasite that infects red blood cells, has been identified. While this
disease has primarily been found in southern Europe, it has now been
reported in cooler climate countries, including Estonia and Finland.

In 2024, 8 people in Estonia have contracted this disease for the
first time, and there has been one case of reinfection.

“Babesiosis is a parasitic disease and presents with common symptoms
such as chills, fever, general weakness and flulike symptoms. However,
if left untreated, the risk of complications is quite high,” said
Karita Košeleva, a physician with the family doctor’s advisory line.

Complications of the disease can include kidney or heart failure,
liver and spleen problems. Babesiosis cannot be diagnosed based solely
on symptoms; additional tests are required.

“Treatment is usually effective and involves the use of both
antibiotics and medications typically used for malaria. Often, a
combination of these 2 is used,” Košeleva said.

While animals can be vaccinated against babesiosis, there is no
suitable vaccine for humans. Babesiosis was detected in Estonian ticks
years ago, with less than 2% of ticks being carriers at the time. No
ongoing surveillance for this disease is currently conducted.

“It is possible for people to contract this disease, and sometimes the
pathogens are not as severe, meaning a person might not even notice
they have been infected,” said Maria Vikentjeva, a chief specialist at
the Health Board.

[Byline: Hanneli Rudi]