Tick-Borne Anaplasmosis on The Rise In Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says a tick-borne disease is rising in the state this year and it is a disease that is more dangerous than Lyme disease.

Health officials say cases of the flu-like anaplasmosis are on the rise this year, up to 433 cases this year. The Portland Press Herald reports it is a large increase from five years ago when it was only 52 cases a year.

About 25 to 30 percent of all anaplasmosis cases result in hospitalizations, compared to about 5 percent of Lyme cases.

The deer tick, which also commonly carries Lyme disease, is also a carrier for anaplasmosis. Lyme disease averages around 1,000 cases a year and is well known in Maine.