Cases of the tick-borne disease babesiosis increased sharply in some Northeastern states between 2011 and 2019, according to a new CDC report.

The agency says the infection is now endemic in three new states: Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Previously, the disease was considered endemic only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

Humans typically acquire babesiosis from deer ticks, whose bites can transmit Babesia parasites that infect red blood cells.

It can also be transmitted via blood transfusion or during pregnancy, from an infected mother to her unborn child.

For more information:

CDC report

New York Times

ABC News