In China, the death toll from contracting an infection from tick bites in Xinyang City in Henan Province, has climbed to eighteen. The Provincial health authorities said that the dead victims were among 557 reported cases of suspected human granulocytic anaplasmosis since May 2007. Most of the cases were found in Xinyang's Shangcheng and Guangshan counties and Shihe and Pingqiao districts. The disease is often reported from May to Aug. and most people infected are between ages 40 to 70. HGA reduces white blood cell and platelet counts in the blood, leading to organ failure and death. People in close contact with the patient can also be infected if no precautions are taken. The disease is curable if treated soon enough.