Upstate New York tickets are carrying a new bacterial infection that is related to Lyme disease with stronger symptoms.

Ticks are already scary enough carrying Lyme disease and less frequently Powassan, and now we have another infection to worry about. According to a New York Upstate report, Upstate Medical University says 2 Central New York patients have tested positive for Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). The bacteria is related to Lyme and similarly causes flu-like symptoms, and like Lyme, is treatable with antibiotics. Some may never even realize they have been infected.

While it is freaky ticks are spreading another infection, the NYUP report says this new bacteria is not as widespread as Lyme in deer ticks, but it could be. While Lyme is currently found in 30-50% of tickets, BMD occurrence is much lower depending on what part of the state you live in. The report says tick borne illnesses usually start out small but eventually spread through the tick population.

It all comes to down to being careful when you are exploring the great outdoors, or simply working in your yard. Cover-up and always check yourself out for ticks. And at this point of the year, welcome the colder weather and the end of tick season!

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