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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, one tick-borne disease is becoming more prevalent in the northeast region of the United States. The Center for Disease Control says there's been a rise in babesiosis cases.
The new CDC study shows babesiosis as an endemic in ten states, including Massachusetts. WBZ's Tim Dunn spoke to Barnstable County Entomologist Larry Dapsis, who said the disease is not new to the state, but has spread at a fast rate of 11-percent exposure risk.
"It's particularly important here on the Cape, because 95-percent of the cases of babesiosis are people in their 60-years or older. That's the demographics of Cape Cod," Dapsis said.
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Dapsis goes on to say that there's an effective method of preventing tick bites altogether. Officials say lining you clothes with permethrin will do wonders to ward off unwanted pests.
"This is the most effective tool in the box we have," Dapsis said.
WBZ's Tim Dunn (@ConsiderMeDunn) reports.
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