Bucks County Man Dies Of Rare Disease, And His Family Wants You To Know About It

NEWTOWN, PA — The family of a Bucks County man who died from a rare tick-borne disease is going public with his story in an attempt to spread awareness. Jeff Naticchia died on July 27.

In an interview with Action News, Naticchia's family said that in the days leading up to his death, the 50-year-old Newtown man had a fever and was fatigued. He was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with babesiosis, which is transmitted by deer ticks.

The disease impacts some people more seriously than others. For Naticchia, it was fatal.

Now family members, including his wife Crissy, want to spread the word about the disease that caused his untimely death.

"I want people to know, it's not just Lyme," Crissy Naticchia said in the Action News interview. "There's other horrible diseases that are carried by ticks."

According to LymeDisease.org, a nonprofit organization that advocates for patients with tick-borne diseases, the first case of babesiosis was reported in Massachusetts in 1969. The disease, which mimics malaria, has since spread across the northeastern United States.

Most often, it starts with a high fever and chills, according to LymeDisease.org. "As the infection progresses, patients may develop fatigue, headache, drenching sweats, muscle aches, chest pain, hip pain and shortness of breath."

The organization says the disease is typically treated with a combination of anti-malarial drugs and antibiotics. One in 20 people who are hospitalized for the disease dies, according to an ABC News report on the rise of babesiosis that was published in 2011 .

According to his obituary, Naticchia left behind two children, Nicole and Max. He is remembered as someone with a dry sense of humor who had an easy-going, fun-loving nature.

"He enjoyed being outdoors, cooking, summer BBQs and sitting on the deck with friends and family. He had an eclectic taste in music and was well-loved by his friends. Most of all, he enjoyed time spent with his wife and children," his obituary said.

An online fundraiser was launched for the family.

"In honor of the memory of an incredible man, please contribute so that his wife can take their children to the Grand Canyon next year," the GoFundMe page says.

PHOTO: US Department of Agriculture