Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

Invasive New Tick Species Could Spread Little-Known Infectious Disease, Scientists Warn

A highly invasive tick species is spreading across the United States, carrying with it a previously unknown but potentially crippling infection that is causing scientists concern. First identified in New Jersey in 2017, the Asian longhorned tick has been detected in at least 21 states. With rising temperatures extending tick season and broadening their habitat, scientists fear that these invasive parasites may catalyze the spread of <span>ehrlichiosis</span>, a bacterial infection that is already increasing in the U.S.

Americans have linked ticks for decades with Lyme disease. But as climate change continues to reshape ecosystems and new invasive populations find a toehold, the risk landscape is evolving. Ehrlichiosis, previously rare, is now emerging as a major public health problem—and the experts say the risks are likely to increase.

Indigenous to East Asia, the Asian longhorned tick is an opportunistic species. It came to other nations such as Australia, New Zealand, and various Pacific islands before it arrived unobtrusively in the United States. Scientists speculate that it most likely rode in on imported animals or livestock, but their point of entry is not known.

Since its New Jersey discovery, the tick has consistently gained a foothold throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Michigan had its first sighting during this summer, indicating how rapidly its range is spreading. Modeling research indicates that the majority of North America—southern Canada to almost every nook and cranny of the continental U.S.—poses acceptable habitat for this resilient species.

What's more frightening about the longhorned tick is that it can reproduce without mating. One female will produce thousands of offspring, which enables populations to increase quickly. Unlike most indigenous animals, this tick is also able to co-feed on the same host with other ticks and retrieve and pass along pathogens very efficiently.

The tick-transmitted disease ehrlichiosis, caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis, has risen in the shadows of recent years. A bite produces its effects usually one to two weeks later, in the form of fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, and crushing fatigue.

Though most of them recover with early treatment, the disease becomes life-threatening if neglected. In serious situations, it develops into respiratory failure, brain and nervous system injury, uncontrollable bleeding, or organ failure. Approximately 60% of patients need to be hospitalized, and about 1% die from the disease, as per the CDC.

Confirmed cases went from only 200 in 2000 to over 2,000 in 2019. Experts, however, believe these figures are merely the tip of the iceberg. Rutgers University studies indicate that as much as 99% of infection may go undetected or unreported, masked by nonspecific flu-like symptoms doctors may attribute to other explanations.

<h2>Is Climate Change Contributing To Tick-Borne Diseases?</h2>

The biology of ticks is closely coupled with the weather. In the past, long, frigid winters kept tick populations low, both in terms of their numbers and in terms of the diseases they were spreading. Climate change is rewriting that season script, though.

"We are losing winter," says Connecticut's tick-testing program director, Goudarz Molaei. "And this tick, like others, will be active year-round."

Warmer, shorter winters mean ticks come out of hibernation earlier and remain active for longer periods, raising the chances of human contact. The CDC just released word of an all-time high number of emergency room visits in July for tick bites—illustrating how rapidly the risks are increasing.

The longhorned tick is not coming alone. A study in iScience reported seven non-native tick species arriving in Connecticut during 2019-2023. They rode in on livestock, pets, or travelers and are potential carriers of domestic and exotic diseases.

Several of these ticks carried bacteria similar to those causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a lethal disease recently starting to appear in Connecticut even though it has been nonexistent there historically. Other <span>invasive ticks</span> are recognized carriers of Theileria orientalis, a cattle-decimating parasite not yet shown to pose danger to humans.

Worldwide, ticks spread over 17% of infectious diseases in humans, the World Health Organization finds. In the United States, they are responsible for 77% of all vector-borne illnesses, case loads more than doubling over the past 15 years. The introduction of invasive ticks merely increases the stakes.

<h2>Why Invasive Ticks Are Different?</h2>

In contrast to indigenous species, invasive ticks present two such significant threats: they increase the range of current diseases and bring with them the potential to introduce entirely new ones. With their explosive ability to breed and thrive in a variety of climates, longhorned ticks are particularly well-suited to redefine the U.S. disease map.

Their diet also distinguishes them. Though they usually prefer livestock, they will consume humans if given the chance. And when there is more than one tick species that feeds on a single animal, they can share pathogens with each other in what is called "co-feeding transmission," multiplying the chances of new disease dynamics.

Ticks are not born with pathogens. They pick them up after they feed on an infected animal like deer, rodents, or livestock. Ticks being infected have the ability to transmit the pathogen to the next host—occasionally human.

America has about 50 native tick species that will bite humans and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Invasive ticks, however, expand that menu of potential harm by introducing pathogens from elsewhere in the world into American habitats.

<h2>Is There Any Way to Avoid Tick-Borne Disease?</h2>

As scientists track the spread of invasive ticks, members of the public can act to minimize individual risk. Long sleeves and long pants in tick-infested areas, repellents that have DEET or permethrin, and careful tick checks after going outside are the most effective measures.

Medical professionals also advise travelers to report recent travel when they go for medical attention for tick bites, as invasive ticks from other countries are often hard to distinguish from local ones. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of ehrlichiosis and other diseases can be the difference between life and death.

The outbreak of invasive ticks in the United States illustrates how global change, fueled by climate change, trade, and travel, reconfigures local health threats. Within a decade, a species foreign to most Americans is now a possible cause of a major public health epidemic. Experts predict it's only a matter of time before other invasive ticks catch local or native pathogens, or even create new ones not previously observed in the US.

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A highly invasive tick species is spreading across the United States, carrying with it a previously unknown but potentially crippling infection that is causing scientists concern. First identified in New Jersey in 2017, the Asian longhorned tick has been detected in at least 21 states. With rising temperatures extending tick season and broadening their habitat, scientists fear that these invasive parasites may catalyze the spread of ehrlichiosis, a bacterial infection that is already increasing in the U.S.Americans have linked ticks for decades with Lyme disease. But as climate change continues to reshape ecosystems and new invasive populations find a toehold, the risk landscape is evolving. Ehrlichiosis, previously rare, is now emerging as a major public health problem—and the experts say the risks are likely to increase.Indigenous to East Asia, the Asian longhorned tick is an opportunistic species. It came to other nations such as Australia, New Zealand, and various Pacific islands before it arrived unobtrusively in the United States. Scientists speculate that it most likely rode in on imported animals or livestock, but their point of entry is not known.Since its New Jersey discovery, the tick has consistently gained a foothold throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Michigan had its first sighting during this summer, indicating how rapidly its range is spreading. Modeling research indicates that the majority of North America—southern Canada to almost every nook and cranny of the continental U.S.—poses acceptable habitat for this resilient species.What's more frightening about the longhorned tick is that it can reproduce without mating. One female will produce thousands of offspring, which enables populations to increase quickly. Unlike most indigenous animals, this tick is also able to co-feed on the same host with other ticks and retrieve and pass along pathogens very efficiently.What is Ehrlichiosis?The tick-transmitted disease ehrlichiosis, caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis, has risen in the shadows of recent years. A bite produces its effects usually one to two weeks later, in the form of fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, and crushing fatigue.Though most of them recover with early treatment, the disease becomes life-threatening if neglected. In serious situations, it develops into respiratory failure, brain and nervous system injury, uncontrollable bleeding, or organ failure. Approximately 60% of patients need to be hospitalized, and about 1% die from the disease, as per the CDC.Confirmed cases went from only 200 in 2000 to over 2,000 in 2019. Experts, however, believe these figures are merely the tip of the iceberg. Rutgers University studies indicate that as much as 99% of infection may go undetected or unreported, masked by nonspecific flu-like symptoms doctors may attribute to other explanations.Is Climate Change Contributing To Tick-Borne Diseases?The biology of ticks is closely coupled with the weather. In the past, long, frigid winters kept tick populations low, both in terms of their numbers and in terms of the diseases they were spreading. Climate change is rewriting that season script, though."We are losing winter," says Connecticut's tick-testing program director, Goudarz Molaei. "And this tick, like others, will be active year-round."Warmer, shorter winters mean ticks come out of hibernation earlier and remain active for longer periods, raising the chances of human contact. The CDC just released word of an all-time high number of emergency room visits in July for tick bites—illustrating how rapidly the risks are increasing.The longhorned tick is not coming alone. A study in iScience reported seven non-native tick species arriving in Connecticut during 2019-2023. They rode in on livestock, pets, or travelers and are potential carriers of domestic and exotic diseases.Several of these ticks carried bacteria similar to those causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a lethal disease recently starting to appear in Connecticut even though it has been nonexistent there historically. Other invasive ticks are recognized carriers of Theileria orientalis, a cattle-decimating parasite not yet shown to pose danger to humans.Worldwide, ticks spread over 17% of infectious diseases in humans, the World Health Organization finds. In the United States, they are responsible for 77% of all vector-borne illnesses, case loads more than doubling over the past 15 years. The introduction of invasive ticks merely increases the stakes.Why Invasive Ticks Are Different?In contrast to indigenous species, invasive ticks present two such significant threats: they increase the range of current diseases and bring with them the potential to introduce entirely new ones. With their explosive ability to breed and thrive in a variety of climates, longhorned ticks are particularly well-suited to redefine the U.S. disease map.Their diet also distinguishes them. Though they usually prefer livestock, they will consume humans if given the chance. And when there is more than one tick species that feeds on a single animal, they can share pathogens with each other in what is called "co-feeding transmission," multiplying the chances of new disease dynamics.How Ticks Spread Diseases?Ticks are not born with pathogens. They pick them up after they feed on an infected animal like deer, rodents, or livestock. Ticks being infected have the ability to transmit the pathogen to the next host—occasionally human.America has about 50 native tick species that will bite humans and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Invasive ticks, however, expand that menu of potential harm by introducing pathogens from elsewhere in the world into American habitats.Is There Any Way to Avoid Tick-Borne Disease?As scientists track the spread of invasive ticks, members of the public can act to minimize individual risk. Long sleeves and long pants in tick-infested areas, repellents that have DEET or permethrin, and careful tick checks after going outside are the most effective measures.Medical professionals also advise travelers to report recent travel when they go for medical attention for tick bites, as invasive ticks from other countries are often hard to distinguish from local ones. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of ehrlichiosis and other diseases can be the difference between life and death.The outbreak of invasive ticks in the United States illustrates how global change, fueled by climate change, trade, and travel, reconfigures local health threats. Within a decade, a species foreign to most Americans is now a possible cause of a major public health epidemic. Experts predict it's only a matter of time before other invasive ticks catch local or native pathogens, or even create new ones not previously observed in the US.

invasive new tick species could spread little-known infectious disease, scientists warn

Wyoming Health Officials Hunt for 200 Exposed Tourists After Bat-Infested Cabins Spark Rabies Scare

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Nearly 200 tourists are being traced by <span>Wyoming health officials</span> after bat-infested cabins at Grand Teton National Park sparked a rabies scare, raising urgent public health concerns. For some tourists who came for a trip to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park promises postcard-worthy mountains, pristine lakes, and wildlife encounters. But for hundreds of tourists this summer, the trip came with an unexpected and terrifying souvenir, possible rabies exposure. 

State health officials are now urgently tracking down more than 200 people from 38 states and seven countries who may have been exposed to the near-always fatal virus after staying in bat-infested cabins at Jackson Lake Lodge.

Between May 15 and July 27, guests lodged in eight specific cabins—rooms 516 through 530—may have unknowingly slept just beneath a bat colony nesting in the attic. After multiple reports of bats flying into guest rooms, the lodge shut down those cabins on July 27. By then, more than 250 reservations had been fulfilled, meaning up to 500 guests could have rotated through the infested spaces.

Travis Riddell, director of the Teton County Public Health Department, explained that repeated sightings strongly suggest a colony, not isolated strays. “Although there were a lot of people exposed in this incident, one positive about it is that we know who 100 percent of those people are,” he said. That knowledge is crucial for officials working to prevent the spread of a disease that almost always turns fatal once symptoms appear.

Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses known to humans. Spread through the saliva of infected animals—typically bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes—it attacks the nervous system, traveling to the brain where it causes swelling, neurological breakdown, and ultimately death. Once symptoms begin, the disease is virtually untreatable.

Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming’s State Health Officer, emphasized that even the smallest bite or scratch can be dangerous. “Bats are the area’s most common host for rabies and their bite leaves such a small mark that it is rarely visible,” she explained. This is what makes cases like Jackson Lake Lodge so alarming: guests could have slept through a bat encounter without ever realizing it happened.

Health officials categorize rabies risk based on contact. The highest concern is for those who:

<ul><li>Were bitten or scratched by a bat</li><li>Had bat saliva touch broken skin or mucous membranes</li><li>Touched a bat directly</li><li>Could not confirm exposure, such as children, deep sleepers, or individuals with impaired awareness</li></ul>

Not every guest will require the post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine, but because the stakes are life and death, officials are urging caution.

Rabies is preventable if treatment starts quickly. A regimen of immune globulin plus a four-to-five dose vaccine series given over two weeks is almost 100 percent effective at preventing the virus from taking hold.

The treatment is expensive and sometimes difficult to access. In Wyoming, a single course can cost up to $16,000 per person, with some hospitals charging double that amount. Multiply that by hundreds of potentially exposed tourists, and the financial toll could be staggering.

Yet health officials stress that money should not deter people from seeking care. As Dr. Harrist put it, “The death of one person because of something that we could have otherwise prevented is not acceptable.”

<h2>Is US Awaiting A New Health Crisis?</h2>

Though the dog-specific rabies variant was eliminated in the U.S. in 2007 thanks to vaccination laws, rabies remains firmly entrenched in wildlife populations. Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are the primary reservoirs, and each summer, local health departments from Maine to California field calls about possible exposures.

In fact, within just the past month, counties across multiple states—including North Carolina—have reported rabies-positive animals and urged residents to stay alert. In one North Carolina case, a fox attacked a young mother outside her home, biting her leg and hand. Both she and another victim are receiving treatment.

These incidents illustrate a troubling trend: while human rabies cases remain rare in the U.S. (usually one to three per year), wildlife exposures are rising, especially during summer when both humans and bats are most active.

Mass exposure events are rare, but not unheard of. The last time Teton County saw something similar was in 2017, when a bat colony discovered at AMK Ranch led to over a dozen people receiving treatment.

This year’s case, however, is on a much larger scale. The fact that officials must now coordinate across nearly 40 states and multiple countries underscores how modern travel can turn a local outbreak into a global health concern. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been brought in to help track down foreign visitors who stayed at the lodge.

For Wyoming health authorities, the challenge is two-fold: alerting potentially exposed individuals without causing unnecessary panic. Officials stress that people who did not stay in the affected cabins—or who stayed elsewhere at the lodge—face no risk. The lodge itself has taken aggressive steps to secure the area, and other parts of the property remain open, including as host venue for the high-profile Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium.

Emily Curren, Wyoming’s public health veterinarian, praised the lodge company for swift action. “They’ve done a fantastic job of doing their due diligence to make sure everyone coming in is going to be as safe as possible,” she said.

<h2>What Tourists Should Know About Bat Encounters?</h2>

Bats are an essential part of many ecosystems, eating insects and pollinating plants. But they are also the leading source of rabies in the U.S. Signs of rabid bats include flying during the day, erratic circling, or being unable to fly at all. Anyone who finds a bat indoors should avoid direct contact and call local animal control or health authorities immediately.

The Wyoming rabies scare is a stark reminder that while rare, rabies is not a relic of the past. It’s still out there, carried silently by wildlife and capable of turning a family vacation into a medical emergency.

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Nearly 200 tourists are being traced by Wyoming health officials after bat-infested cabins at Grand Teton National Park sparked a rabies scare, raising urgent public health concerns. For some tourists who came for a trip to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park promises postcard-worthy mountains, pristine lakes, and wildlife encounters. But for hundreds of tourists this summer, the trip came with an unexpected and terrifying souvenir, possible rabies exposure. State health officials are now urgently tracking down more than 200 people from 38 states and seven countries who may have been exposed to the near-always fatal virus after staying in bat-infested cabins at Jackson Lake Lodge.Between May 15 and July 27, guests lodged in eight specific cabins—rooms 516 through 530—may have unknowingly slept just beneath a bat colony nesting in the attic. After multiple reports of bats flying into guest rooms, the lodge shut down those cabins on July 27. By then, more than 250 reservations had been fulfilled, meaning up to 500 guests could have rotated through the infested spaces.Travis Riddell, director of the Teton County Public Health Department, explained that repeated sightings strongly suggest a colony, not isolated strays. “Although there were a lot of people exposed in this incident, one positive about it is that we know who 100 percent of those people are,” he said. That knowledge is crucial for officials working to prevent the spread of a disease that almost always turns fatal once symptoms appear.What is Rabies?Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses known to humans. Spread through the saliva of infected animals—typically bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes—it attacks the nervous system, traveling to the brain where it causes swelling, neurological breakdown, and ultimately death. Once symptoms begin, the disease is virtually untreatable.Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming’s State Health Officer, emphasized that even the smallest bite or scratch can be dangerous. “Bats are the area’s most common host for rabies and their bite leaves such a small mark that it is rarely visible,” she explained. This is what makes cases like Jackson Lake Lodge so alarming: guests could have slept through a bat encounter without ever realizing it happened.What Counts as Rabies Exposure?Health officials categorize rabies risk based on contact. The highest concern is for those who:Were bitten or scratched by a batHad bat saliva touch broken skin or mucous membranesTouched a bat directlyCould not confirm exposure, such as children, deep sleepers, or individuals with impaired awarenessNot every guest will require the post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine, but because the stakes are life and death, officials are urging caution.Rabies Vaccine And Its CostRabies is preventable if treatment starts quickly. A regimen of immune globulin plus a four-to-five dose vaccine series given over two weeks is almost 100 percent effective at preventing the virus from taking hold.The treatment is expensive and sometimes difficult to access. In Wyoming, a single course can cost up to $16,000 per person, with some hospitals charging double that amount. Multiply that by hundreds of potentially exposed tourists, and the financial toll could be staggering.Yet health officials stress that money should not deter people from seeking care. As Dr. Harrist put it, “The death of one person because of something that we could have otherwise prevented is not acceptable.”Is US Awaiting A New Health Crisis?Though the dog-specific rabies variant was eliminated in the U.S. in 2007 thanks to vaccination laws, rabies remains firmly entrenched in wildlife populations. Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are the primary reservoirs, and each summer, local health departments from Maine to California field calls about possible exposures.In fact, within just the past month, counties across multiple states—including North Carolina—have reported rabies-positive animals and urged residents to stay alert. In one North Carolina case, a fox attacked a young mother outside her home, biting her leg and hand. Both she and another victim are receiving treatment.These incidents illustrate a troubling trend: while human rabies cases remain rare in the U.S. (usually one to three per year), wildlife exposures are rising, especially during summer when both humans and bats are most active.Mass exposure events are rare, but not unheard of. The last time Teton County saw something similar was in 2017, when a bat colony discovered at AMK Ranch led to over a dozen people receiving treatment.This year’s case, however, is on a much larger scale. The fact that officials must now coordinate across nearly 40 states and multiple countries underscores how modern travel can turn a local outbreak into a global health concern. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been brought in to help track down foreign visitors who stayed at the lodge.For Wyoming health authorities, the challenge is two-fold: alerting potentially exposed individuals without causing unnecessary panic. Officials stress that people who did not stay in the affected cabins—or who stayed elsewhere at the lodge—face no risk. The lodge itself has taken aggressive steps to secure the area, and other parts of the property remain open, including as host venue for the high-profile Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium.Emily Curren, Wyoming’s public health veterinarian, praised the lodge company for swift action. “They’ve done a fantastic job of doing their due diligence to make sure everyone coming in is going to be as safe as possible,” she said.What Tourists Should Know About Bat Encounters?Bats are an essential part of many ecosystems, eating insects and pollinating plants. But they are also the leading source of rabies in the U.S. Signs of rabid bats include flying during the day, erratic circling, or being unable to fly at all. Anyone who finds a bat indoors should avoid direct contact and call local animal control or health authorities immediately.The Wyoming rabies scare is a stark reminder that while rare, rabies is not a relic of the past. It’s still out there, carried silently by wildlife and capable of turning a family vacation into a medical emergency.

wyoming health officials hunt for 200 exposed tourists after bat-infested cabins spark rabies scare

Aarushi Bhadury

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What Causes Lyme Disease? (Credit - Canva)

The beloved TV personality <span>Billie Shepherd</span>, well known for her role in the reality TV show, ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ recently opened up about her <span>Lyme disease</span> diagnosis. In an interview with The Mirror, she detailed how she ‘couldn’t even get out of bed’ and even had difficulty using the washroom. 

She was diagnosed earlier this year, and it left her with chronic fatigue and debilitating pain. "I was in bits. I was hysterically crying, because I was in so much pain," she told The Mirror. "It was hard for me to sit on the toilet without Greg helping me. It was so scary." 

The Cleveland Clinic explains that Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected deer tick (also known as a black-legged tick). Ordinary "wood ticks" and "dog ticks" do not carry this bacteria. 

The first cases were identified in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut, when a cluster of children were diagnosed with what was initially thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers later discovered that the outbreak was linked to bites from infected deer ticks. 

<h2>What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lyme Disease? </h2>

The symptoms of Lyme disease vary depending on the stage of the infection. 

Early Symptoms of the disease can include Erythema migrans (EM) rash which is an expanding lesion that often looks like a bull's-eye. It appears at the site of the tick bite between one and four weeks after the bite. Other symptoms include, 

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Headache</li><li>Stiff neck</li><li>Body and joint aches</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes</li></ul> 

During the early disseminated stage of Lyme disease, symptoms can include multiple rashes, paralysis of facial muscles known as Bell's palsy, an irregular heartbeat, and sensations of numbness or tingling. If left untreated, the late stage of the disease can manifest with recurring episodes of swollen joints, especially in the knees (arthritis), difficulty concentrating often called "brain fog," and widespread nerve damage (polyneuropathy).

Shepherd detailed how getting to the diagnosis was not easy. She explained how it took two months and numerous blood tests for doctors to diagnose her. 

A healthcare provider will diagnose Lyme disease based on symptoms, a physical exam (including checking for a rash), and your potential exposure to tick-infested areas. It's important to note that many people don't remember being bitten because the ticks are tiny and their bites are often painless. 

The diagnosis is confirmed with a blood test. If the initial test is positive or inconclusive, a second test is performed. A diagnosis of Lyme disease requires two positive or inconclusive test results 

Billie explained how her healthcare professionals believe she may have been bitten by a tick as long as three years ago, with the infection remaining dormant until recently. While Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics, Shepherd's symptoms were initially exacerbated by the medication. 

<h2>What Should You Do If A Tick Bites You? </h2>

If a tick bites you, follow these steps to remove it safely: 

<ul><li>Use blunt tweezers to gently but firmly pull the tick near its "head" at the skin's surface until it releases.</li><li>Avoid crushing the tick's body or touching it with your bare fingers to prevent exposure to the bacteria.</li><li>Wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.</li><li>Do not use home remedies like kerosene, petroleum jelly, or a hot cigarette to remove the tick.</li></ul>

Billie Shepherd

Lyme Disease

Celebrity Lyme Disease

Lyme disease symptoms

Lyme disease  diagnosis

lyme disease treatment

The beloved TV personality Billie Shepherd, well known for her role in the reality TV show, ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ recently opened up about her Lyme disease diagnosis. In an interview with The Mirror, she detailed how she ‘couldn’t even get out of bed’ and even had difficulty using the washroom. She was diagnosed earlier this year, and it left her with chronic fatigue and debilitating pain. "I was in bits. I was hysterically crying, because I was in so much pain," she told The Mirror. "It was hard for me to sit on the toilet without Greg helping me. It was so scary." What Is Lyme Disease? The Cleveland Clinic explains that Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected deer tick (also known as a black-legged tick). Ordinary "wood ticks" and "dog ticks" do not carry this bacteria. The first cases were identified in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut, when a cluster of children were diagnosed with what was initially thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers later discovered that the outbreak was linked to bites from infected deer ticks. What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lyme Disease? The symptoms of Lyme disease vary depending on the stage of the infection. Early Symptoms of the disease can include Erythema migrans (EM) rash which is an expanding lesion that often looks like a bull's-eye. It appears at the site of the tick bite between one and four weeks after the bite. Other symptoms include, FeverHeadacheStiff neckBody and joint achesFatigueSwollen lymph nodes During the early disseminated stage of Lyme disease, symptoms can include multiple rashes, paralysis of facial muscles known as Bell's palsy, an irregular heartbeat, and sensations of numbness or tingling. If left untreated, the late stage of the disease can manifest with recurring episodes of swollen joints, especially in the knees (arthritis), difficulty concentrating often called "brain fog," and widespread nerve damage (polyneuropathy). How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed? Shepherd detailed how getting to the diagnosis was not easy. She explained how it took two months and numerous blood tests for doctors to diagnose her. A healthcare provider will diagnose Lyme disease based on symptoms, a physical exam (including checking for a rash), and your potential exposure to tick-infested areas. It's important to note that many people don't remember being bitten because the ticks are tiny and their bites are often painless. The diagnosis is confirmed with a blood test. If the initial test is positive or inconclusive, a second test is performed. A diagnosis of Lyme disease requires two positive or inconclusive test results Billie explained how her healthcare professionals believe she may have been bitten by a tick as long as three years ago, with the infection remaining dormant until recently. While Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics, Shepherd's symptoms were initially exacerbated by the medication. What Should You Do If A Tick Bites You? If a tick bites you, follow these steps to remove it safely: Use blunt tweezers to gently but firmly pull the tick near its "head" at the skin's surface until it releases.Avoid crushing the tick's body or touching it with your bare fingers to prevent exposure to the bacteria.Wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.Do not use home remedies like kerosene, petroleum jelly, or a hot cigarette to remove the tick.

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A Missouri resident is fighting for life in the intensive care unit after contracting one of the rarest yet most deadly infections known to medicine: Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the brain-eating amoeba. The case, traced back to waterskiing on the popular Lake of the Ozarks, has sparked renewed questions about how people can be exposed to this microscopic threat—and whether everyday activities like showering or drinking tap water could carry risks.

Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives naturally in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It thrives in temperatures between 77°F and 115°F, meaning it is more commonly found in waters during hot summer months when levels are low and temperatures rise.

Despite its frightening nickname, the amoeba doesn’t “eat” brains in a literal sense. Instead, when water contaminated with N. fowleri enters through the nose—often during swimming, diving, or watersports—the organism can travel to the brain. Once there, it causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a devastating infection that destroys brain tissue.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes PAM as “almost always fatal.” In fact, the fatality rate exceeds 97%, with just four survivors out of 167 confirmed cases in the United States between 1962 and 2024.

The key factor is nasal exposure, not ingestion. Simply drinking contaminated water does not cause illness. The amoeba must enter through the nose and reach the brain’s olfactory nerves. This is why activities like:

<ul><li>Waterskiing, wakeboarding, or diving in warm freshwater</li><li>Swimming in poorly maintained pools or splash pads</li><li>Using contaminated tap water for nasal rinses or Neti pots</li></ul>

are considered riskier than simply consuming the water.

Cases have even been linked to routine activities such as bathing or showering in places where water systems were contaminated. While rare, this route of exposure is considered possible if water is forced high into the nasal cavity.

Symptoms usually develop within 3 to 12 days after exposure. They begin subtly, resembling common viral illnesses, but progress rapidly:

Later: stiff neck, confusion, hallucinations, seizures

Advanced: coma and death, typically within five days of symptom onset

This rapid progression makes timely diagnosis extraordinarily difficult. By the time PAM is suspected, the infection is usually advanced.

<h2>How Rare Is Brain-Eating Infection, Really?</h2>

The good news is that Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare. In the U.S., an average of just two to three cases per year are reported, despite millions of people swimming in warm lakes and rivers.

Globally, however, cases have been documented in more than 40 countries. A review up to 2018 found 381 cases worldwide, with a shocking 92% mortality rate. The highest number of cases were recorded in the United States, Pakistan, Mexico, and India. Australia, too, has documented outbreaks, particularly in regions with warmer climates.

One of the most unnerving aspects of Naegleria fowleri is when it shows up in municipal water supplies. In 2024, officials in Queensland, Australia, confirmed its detection in drinking water systems in the towns of Augathella and Charleville. So should Americans be worried about catching the infection from their tap? Here’s the science:

Drinking contaminated water does not cause infection. The digestive system neutralizes the amoeba.

Nasal exposure is the risk. Taking a shower, using a Neti pot, or even children playing with hoses or sprinklers could theoretically force water up the nose.

Proper water treatment works. Adequate chlorination and maintenance of municipal systems eliminate the risk.

In the U.S., isolated incidents linked to Neti pots used with unboiled tap water have been reported, underlining why the CDC stresses that nasal rinses must use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water.

In Missouri, the patient’s exposure was likely tied to high-speed watersports on Lake of the Ozarks during a spell of hot weather. Waterskiing increases the risk because it forces water deeply into the nasal passages.

Officials have not reported other cases connected to the lake, emphasizing just how rare the infection is, even in favorable conditions. Still, the case has heightened awareness and anxiety, particularly as climate change increases the likelihood of warmer water temperatures in many regions.

There is no guaranteed way to eliminate risk, but health experts offer several practical precautions:

<ul><li>Avoid swimming in warm freshwater during heatwaves or when water levels are low.</li><li>Keep your head above water in lakes, rivers, or hot springs.</li><li>Don’t dive or jump in. Water forced up the nose is the main risk factor.</li><li>Use nose clips if you plan to submerge in freshwater.</li><li>Stick to saltwater or properly chlorinated pools. The amoeba cannot survive in these environments.</li><li>Use sterile or boiled water for nasal rinses. Never rely on straight tap water.</li></ul>

The idea of a “brain-eating amoeba” is terrifying, but public health experts emphasize that the odds of infection are extraordinarily low. Millions of people swim in lakes every year without incident.

The far greater concern, they say, is that when cases do occur, they are often misdiagnosed as bacterial meningitis until it’s too late. Public awareness, while important, should be balanced with the reality that preventive measures—like avoiding nasal exposure to untreated warm freshwater—are usually enough.

The Missouri case is a tragic reminder of just how deadly Naegleria fowleri can be, but also how vanishingly rare it is. You cannot catch it by drinking tap water, and routine showers in well-maintained municipal systems are safe. The risk only arises when contaminated warm freshwater is forced into the nose.

For now, experts say vigilance, not panic, is the right response. With simple precautions, Americans can keep enjoying summer lakes and rivers while understanding the small but serious risks that come with them.

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A Missouri resident is fighting for life in the intensive care unit after contracting one of the rarest yet most deadly infections known to medicine: Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the brain-eating amoeba. The case, traced back to waterskiing on the popular Lake of the Ozarks, has sparked renewed questions about how people can be exposed to this microscopic threat—and whether everyday activities like showering or drinking tap water could carry risks.Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives naturally in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It thrives in temperatures between 77°F and 115°F, meaning it is more commonly found in waters during hot summer months when levels are low and temperatures rise.Despite its frightening nickname, the amoeba doesn’t “eat” brains in a literal sense. Instead, when water contaminated with N. fowleri enters through the nose—often during swimming, diving, or watersports—the organism can travel to the brain. Once there, it causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a devastating infection that destroys brain tissue.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes PAM as “almost always fatal.” In fact, the fatality rate exceeds 97%, with just four survivors out of 167 confirmed cases in the United States between 1962 and 2024.How Does the Infection ?The key factor is nasal exposure, not ingestion. Simply drinking contaminated water does not cause illness. The amoeba must enter through the nose and reach the brain’s olfactory nerves. This is why activities like:Waterskiing, wakeboarding, or diving in warm freshwaterSwimming in poorly maintained pools or splash padsUsing contaminated tap water for nasal rinses or Neti potsare considered riskier than simply consuming the water.Cases have even been linked to routine activities such as bathing or showering in places where water systems were contaminated. While rare, this route of exposure is considered possible if water is forced high into the nasal cavity.What Are the Symptoms?Symptoms usually develop within 3 to 12 days after exposure. They begin subtly, resembling common viral illnesses, but progress rapidly:Early: headache, fever, nausea, vomitingLater: stiff neck, confusion, hallucinations, seizuresAdvanced: coma and death, typically within five days of symptom onsetThis rapid progression makes timely diagnosis extraordinarily difficult. By the time PAM is suspected, the infection is usually advanced.How Rare Is Brain-Eating Infection, Really?The good news is that Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare. In the U.S., an average of just two to three cases per year are reported, despite millions of people swimming in warm lakes and rivers.Globally, however, cases have been documented in more than 40 countries. A review up to 2018 found 381 cases worldwide, with a shocking 92% mortality rate. The highest number of cases were recorded in the United States, Pakistan, Mexico, and India. Australia, too, has documented outbreaks, particularly in regions with warmer climates.Is It Safe To Drink Tap-Water?One of the most unnerving aspects of Naegleria fowleri is when it shows up in municipal water supplies. In 2024, officials in Queensland, Australia, confirmed its detection in drinking water systems in the towns of Augathella and Charleville. So should Americans be worried about catching the infection from their tap? Here’s the science:Drinking contaminated water does not cause infection. The digestive system neutralizes the amoeba.Nasal exposure is the risk. Taking a shower, using a Neti pot, or even children playing with hoses or sprinklers could theoretically force water up the nose.Proper water treatment works. Adequate chlorination and maintenance of municipal systems eliminate the risk.In the U.S., isolated incidents linked to Neti pots used with unboiled tap water have been reported, underlining why the CDC stresses that nasal rinses must use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water.In Missouri, the patient’s exposure was likely tied to high-speed watersports on Lake of the Ozarks during a spell of hot weather. Waterskiing increases the risk because it forces water deeply into the nasal passages.Officials have not reported other cases connected to the lake, emphasizing just how rare the infection is, even in favorable conditions. Still, the case has heightened awareness and anxiety, particularly as climate change increases the likelihood of warmer water temperatures in many regions.How Can You Protect Yourself?There is no guaranteed way to eliminate risk, but health experts offer several practical precautions:Avoid swimming in warm freshwater during heatwaves or when water levels are low.Keep your head above water in lakes, rivers, or hot springs.Don’t dive or jump in. Water forced up the nose is the main risk factor.Use nose clips if you plan to submerge in freshwater.Stick to saltwater or properly chlorinated pools. The amoeba cannot survive in these environments.Use sterile or boiled water for nasal rinses. Never rely on straight tap water.The idea of a “brain-eating amoeba” is terrifying, but public health experts emphasize that the odds of infection are extraordinarily low. Millions of people swim in lakes every year without incident.The far greater concern, they say, is that when cases do occur, they are often misdiagnosed as bacterial meningitis until it’s too late. Public awareness, while important, should be balanced with the reality that preventive measures—like avoiding nasal exposure to untreated warm freshwater—are usually enough.The Missouri case is a tragic reminder of just how deadly Naegleria fowleri can be, but also how vanishingly rare it is. You cannot catch it by drinking tap water, and routine showers in well-maintained municipal systems are safe. The risk only arises when contaminated warm freshwater is forced into the nose.For now, experts say vigilance, not panic, is the right response. With simple precautions, Americans can keep enjoying summer lakes and rivers while understanding the small but serious risks that come with them.

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