Health officials sound alarm as US region sees surge in dangerous disease: ‘It’s changed my life’

A serious health threat is spreading in Pennsylvania, accordingly Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and changing weather conditions may be a contributing factor.

What’s going on?

In 2025, cases of anaplasmosis increased by over 50% in Allegheny County. U.S. states including Wisconsin and California have also seen jumps in tick-borne bacterial infections.

Anaplasmosis, as well as Lyme disease, is routinely transmitted through tick bites. Initial symptoms of infection include fever, fatigue and nausea. If left untreated, it may have longer-term consequences.

Why is anaplasmosis a concern?

“I can’t really commit to doing a lot of the things I used to do,” Janine Hauck told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in late December. Hauck contracted anaplasmosis in 2019 and has suffered from chronic fatigue ever since; This condition affects his ability to walk, bike, swim, and participate in the outdoor activities he enjoys. “It changed my life.”

A major contributor to the increase in anaplasmosis infections is the increasing population and habitat of disease-carrying ticks. Warmer and wetter weather conditions, exacerbated in part by atmospheric pollution, provided prime conditions for ticks to breed.

This phenomenon has exacerbated the spread of other vector-borne diseases, including dengue fever virus and West Nile virus.

What is being done about anaplasmosis?

Anaplasmosis can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early. That’s why authorities recommend checking for tick bites regularly after spending time outdoors. Seeking medical attention immediately after a tick bite can help promote healing.

It is possible to prevent tick bites in the first place by wearing sufficiently long clothing and using effective repellents. Hauck told the Post-Gazette that the measures are worth the effort.

“People don’t understand how badly a tick bite can affect your life,” he told the paper. “I probably spent over $60,000 to get better. I’m lucky [the money]But not everyone does that.”

In the big picture, attacking the root of the problem may also require reducing emissions as much as possible to mitigate increasingly hot and wet weather and reduce tick habitat and activity.

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