Borrelia miyamotoi Disease: Reporting and Surveillance
Borrelia miyamotoi disease is is surveillance category II reportable disease in Wisconsin. Health care providers should report to the patient’s local or tribal health department in one of these ways:
- Electronically, through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS).
- By mail or fax using Lyme Disease Case Report, F-02188 (PDF).
- By calling the Bureau of Communicable Diseases at 608-267-9003.
Complete your report within 72 hours of recognizing a case. To learn more, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) web page on Disease Reporting.
DHS Surveillance Resources
- Non-Lyme Borreliosis Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (previously called EpiNet)—Borreliosis, P-02215 (PDF)
- Wisconsin case report form mail or fax—Lyme Disease Case Report, F-02188 (PDF)
- Preparation and response—Vectorborne Disease Toolkit, P-01109 (PDF)
Provider Resources
Symptoms, lab testing, and treatment from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)—What you need to know about Borrelia miyamotoi
Blood tests used to diagnose Lyme disease have not been validated for use to diagnose B. miyamotoi disease.
Two tests are available to diagnosis B. miyamotoi disease. Either of these tests can be used:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests that detect DNA from the organism
- Antibody-based tests
These tests are under development. They aren’t commercially available everywhere. However, you can order them from some labs approved by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
A patient with B. miyamotoi disease will often show the following signs of infection, in addition to having a positive lab result.
Acute onset of fever or chills, and at least one of the following:
- Headache
- Body aches
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Confusion/altered mental status
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Elevated hepatic transaminase values (high liver enzymes)
B. miyamotoi disease has been successfully treated with the same antibiotics and dosages used to treat Lyme disease. Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after symptoms start.
A two-week course of doxycycline or amoxicillin is appropriate for most patients with mild to moderate illness, including children. Intravenous antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone, are an appropriate initial treatment for patients with severe illness requiring hospitalization. Consultation with an infectious disease specialist on treatment regimens for B. miyamotoi may be useful.
Contact us
Questions about illnesses spread by ticks? We’re here to help.
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
Phone: 608-267-9003
Fax: 608-261-4976