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Other Tick-Borne Diseases/Conditions

Q Fever

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What is Q Fever? Q fever is a disease (acute or sometimes chronic) caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. This disease is found worldwide. The bacteria naturally infects mammals; primarily goats, sheep and cattle but, has also been found in birds, and ticks. Thirty-five species of ticks have been identified as natural hosts of this bacteria. The most common route of transmission to humans is through inhalation of dust that has been contaminated by infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products. The organism is extremely hardy and resistant to heat, drying, and many common disinfectants, which enable the bacteria to survive for long periods in the environment. High-risk occupations include farming, ranching, veterinary care and animal research. Other less common modes of transmission, include tick bites, ingestion...

Rickettsiosis

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What is Rickettsiosis? Several tick-borne species of Rickettsia, broadly grouped under the heading "Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR)" have been shown to cause human infections. There are six identified species of Rickettsia that are potentially transmitted by ticks in the US: R. parkeri, transmitted by the bite of Gulf Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum sensu stricto and sensu lato)in the Eastern and southern US, primarily along the coast. the Gulf coast ticks was recently discovered in Connecticut for the first time. And potentially by the Lone star tick (A. americanum) and D. parumapertus in the west. Pacific Coast tick fever (PCTF), proposed name; (Type strain “Rickettsia species 364D”), transmitted by the Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis). Reported cases primarily from Northern California, the tick vector ranges from coastal Oregon...

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe disease caused by tick bites in the United States. A majority of RMSF cases in Arizona happen in communities with large number of roaming dogs and a lot of ticks. The first case of RMSF was in 1896 in Snake River Valley, Idaho; however, Arizona has the most cases of RMSF in the US. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is more common in the south Atlantic and south central parts of the United States then it is in the Rocky Mountains. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) can be fatal within the first few days of symptoms if not treated correctly, even in previously healthy people. It is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii...

Tick Borne Relapsing Fever

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] What is Tick Borne Relapsing Fever? Tick Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) is a rare bacterial infection that is caused by more than a dozen species of Borrelia spirochetes and is transmitted by the bite of both hard ticks and "soft-bodied" ticks. Hard ticks, transmit the TBRF Borrelia miyamotoi. Soft-bodied ticks, primarily from the genus Ornithodoros, each have a preferred habitat and set of hosts that transmit various TBRF spirochetes. TBFR caused by the bite of a soft tick is reported most commonly in mountainous areas of North America, plateau regions of Mexico, Central and South America, the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and much of Africa. In the United States, "soft tick" TBRF occurs most often in 14 western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma,...

Tularemia

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] What is Tularemia? Tularemia is a serious, highly infectious and potentially deadly disease of animals and humans caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.  In 1994, it was removed from the notifiable list of diseases because of the low number of human cases. However, tularemia has recently re-emerged as a threat in the US and elsewhere. Rabbits, hares, and rodents are especially susceptible and often die in large numbers during outbreaks. The microbe has been found in over 300 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, arthropods, and even fish, and the disease occurs worldwide though most commonly throughout North American and Eurasia. Humans can become infected through several routes including tick, deer fly and mosquito bites, skin contact with infected animals, water or soil, ingestion of contaminated water, inhalation...

Alpha-gal Syndrome

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Alpha-gal Syndrome Tick bites can cause more than infections! In recent years, cases of Alpha-gal Syndrome (Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose) have been diagnosed in increasing numbers of people with tick bites. Alpha-gal Syndrome has many names and is also known as AGS, alpha-gal allergy, red meat allergy, mammalian meat allergy, and mammalian products allergy. Alpha-gal (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) is a sugar molecule found in most mammals (except in humans and Old World apes). When a tick bites a person it transfers this sugar into the bloodstream. The body then produces antibodies to fight the sugar. Alpha-gal is found in “red meat” such as beef, lamb, pork, venison, rabbit, squirrel. It is not found in fish, reptiles, or birds. Alpha-gal can be found in products that contain mammal ingredients (including some medications, cosmetics,...

Tick Paralysis

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What is Tick Paralysis? Ticks can transmit more than infections! Tick paralysis is not caused by an infection, rather it results from exposure to a protein neurotoxin released by tick salivary glands during a blood meal when the tick bites. Tick paralysis is an acute, ascending paralysis that usually begins in legs with muscle weakness, loss of coordination and sensation, and potentially death from respiratory failure due to paralysis of chest muscles. It may afflict wild animals, livestock, pets, and humans. Livestock loss from tick paralysis is most common in the western portion of the United States. In humans, it may be confused with Guillain-Barre syndrome, botulism, and myasthenia gravis. The toxin appears to be produced exclusively by female, egg-laden ticks and is most commonly seen in children...