Printer
TextTick-borne Diseases in Fairfax County
Lyme disease was first identified in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut, and is a bacterial illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Although the disease is more common in the Northeast, New England and the upper Midwest, cases have been reported in Virginia since 1982. Untreated cases of Lyme disease can cause serious long-term or chronic health problems.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is the most severe and most frequently reported rickettsial illness in the United States. The disease is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a bacterium that is spread to humans by infected American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis). RMSF is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms and can be fatal if not treated.
Ehrlichiosis, or Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME), is a bacterial illness caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The causative agent for Anaplasmosis, also called Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA), is Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Both HME and HGA are widely distributed within the United States, as well as in many foreign countries. HME is transmitted by an infected Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and HGA is transmitted by an infected black-legged or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis).
Human Babesiosis is caused by the Babesi microti protozoa. Black-legged or deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) acquire the protozoa after feeding on a reservoir host (the white footed mouse) and can later pass the protozoa to humans. Humans may also become infected through blood transfusions from asymptomatic donors. Infection is often sub-clinical, although symptoms can range from mild flu-like illness in children and young adults, to severe and life-threatening in the elderly.
Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness
A spirochete named Borrelia lonestari has been identified in the Lone Star tick by DNA analysis and has been cultured in tick cell lines. A Lyme disease-like rash has been noted following the bite of the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) in south-central and southeastern states and given the name Southern tick-associated rash illness, or STARI. The rash is indistinguishable from the bull's eye rash (erythema migrans) found with Lyme Disease. At this time, little is known about this illness.
Tularemia is caused by the Francisella tularensis bacterium and is transmitted to humans from the reservoir hosts (rabbits, voles, squirrels and other small mammals) via the bite of an infected American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) or an infected Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Tularemia may also be contracted while handling infected dead animals, drinking contaminated water, inhaling contaminated dust or eating undercooked meat. Clinical symptoms of tularemia depend on the route of infection. However, in tick transmission an ulcer at the site of the tick bite, fever, and swelling of the lymph nodes are the most commonly reported symptoms. Once the diagnosis for tularemia has been confirmed, the disease is treatable with antibiotics.
Website Survey 