Tick-borne Illness Claims Life Of New Milford Man: Reports

NEW MILFORD, CT — A New Milford man recently died of a tick-borne illness, according to multiple reports, including one from the News Times. Michael Yoder, 55, suffered liver and kidney failure after a severe case of baesiosis on Aug. 8.

Wendy Yoder, Michael's wife, said he showed signs of a stomach bug for weeks before symptoms worsened, and it was too late by the time the disease was diagnosed.

The report indicates babesiosis has become more prevalent in Connecticut in recent years. Seventy-four cases of the disease were recorded in 2011, and 205 were reported in 2014. Fatal cases are rare, according to state health officials.

According to LymeDisease.org, babesia is a malaria-like parasite that infects red blood cells and causes babesiosis. The symptoms are similar to Lyme disease but are often so mild the disease is not noticed.

Image via the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention