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p.1 Photo by James Gathany Lyme Disease
<br />Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. Prompt
<br />removal of the tick will reduce risk of disease
<br />transmission. The bacteria that causes
<br />Lyme disease is called Borrelia burgdorferi.
<br />Transmission is primarily by the Western
<br />black-legged tick. Early symptoms of Lyme
<br />disease may include head and muscle aches,
<br />sore throat, nausea, fever, stiff neck or fatigue.
<br />About 70% to 80% of those infected develop
<br />a rash (Erthema migrans or EM) at the bite
<br />site, which sometimes resembles a "bull's
<br />eye." The EM rash may appear on any area of
<br />the body within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite.
<br />Later symptoms may involve numbness or
<br />tingling of the limbs, joint swelling and pain,
<br />memory loss, and/or mood swings.
<br />Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
<br />Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a potentially
<br />fatal disease caused by bacterium Rickettsia
<br />rickettsii. Transmission is by the American
<br />dog tick and Pacific Coast tick. Typical
<br />symptoms include: fever, headache,
<br />abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain.
<br />A rash may also develop, but is often absent
<br />in the first few days, and in some patients,
<br />never develops. Quick treatment is important.
<br />Babesiosis
<br />Babesiosis is a malaria-like infection
<br />caused by a protozoan that parasitizes red
<br />blood cells. Transmission is primarily by
<br />the Western black legged tick. Babesiosis
<br />often causes flu-like symptoms (fever, chills,
<br />fatigue) and a breakdown of red blood cells.
<br />Ehrlichiosis
<br />Ehrlichiosis is caused by a microorganism
<br />called Ehrlichia. Transmission is primarily by
<br />the brown dog tick. Ehrlichiosis often causes
<br />flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, fatigue)
<br />with possibility for anemia, lung infection,
<br />decrease in platelets or elevated liver
<br />enzymes.
<br />EM Rash photo credit- CDC
<br />GENERAL INFORMATION
<br />Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods. The
<br />major families of ticks include the Ixodidae or
<br />hard ticks, which have thick outer shells made
<br />of chitin, and Argasidae or soft ticks, which
<br />have a membraneous outer surface. Soft ticks
<br />typically live in crevices and emerge briefly to
<br />feed, while hard ticks will attach themselves to
<br />the skin of a host for long periods of time.
<br />Habitat
<br />Ticks do not fly, jump, or fall out of trees! They
<br />are usually found in grassy areas, in brush,
<br />or in a wooded area. They wait on the tips of
<br />vegetation for a human or animal host to pass
<br />by. As the host brushes against it, the tick
<br />makes contact, moves to a suitable location,
<br />and begins the feeding process.
<br />Behavior
<br />Contrary to popular belief, ticks DO NOT
<br />embed their heads in skin. Ticks are equipped
<br />with mouthparts adapted to penetrate and
<br />hold fast in the skin of its host. Additionally,
<br />they secrete a cement-like material that helps
<br />them stay attached to their host.
<br />Life Cycle
<br />Ticks go through a four stage life cycle
<br />including egg, larva, nymph and adult. Both
<br />males and females in the last three stages
<br />require a blood meal. The smallest stage to
<br />bite is the larva stage, which can be difficult to
<br />see. Tick larva is the
<br />size of a pin head or
<br />poppy seed and can
<br />carry disease.
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<br />TICK SPECIES
<br />FOUND IN OUR AREA
<br />Western Black-Legged Tick
<br />Ixodes pacificus.
<br />This tick is usually found in
<br />areas with high humidity from
<br />October to July. The female
<br />can produce up to 3000 eggs
<br />at onetime. Larvae and
<br />nymphs commonly feed on
<br />lizards, birds, and mammals while adults feed on
<br />large mammals and humans.
<br />Brown Dog Tick
<br />Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
<br />This tick is usually found in
<br />dog kennels and homes
<br />year round. The female can
<br />produce up to 4000 eggs
<br />at one time. Larvae,
<br />nymphs and adults feed on
<br />dogs but are occasionally found on goats, cats
<br />and humans.
<br />Pacific Coast Tick
<br />Dermacentor occidentalis.
<br />This tick is usually found in
<br />areas with high humidity
<br />from November to June.
<br />The female can produce up
<br />to 4500 eggs at one time.
<br />Larvae and nymphs feed on
<br />small rodents while adults feed on large mammals,
<br />especially deer.
<br />American Dog Tick
<br />Dennacentor variabilis.
<br />This tick is usually found
<br />from May to August. The
<br />female can produce up to
<br />6500 eggs at one time.
<br />Larvae, nymphs and adults
<br />feed on larger mammals,
<br />especially dogs.
<br />TICK-BORNE DISEASES
<br />Ticks carry various pathogens that can cause
<br />diseases in humans and animals including:
<br />Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted
<br />fever, babesiosis, tularemia, ehrlichiosis,
<br />anaplasmosis, and relapsing fever.
<br />Tick-borne diseases are rare in San Joaquin
<br />County. Inform your physician immediately
<br />if you develop any symptoms after finding
<br />a tick attached to your skin or being in an
<br />area where ticks are known to occur. The tick
<br />that transmits the bacteria that causes Lyme
<br />disease are more commonly found in coastal,
<br />foothill and mountain areas.
<br />For more detailed information on ticks and tick-borne
<br />diseases, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
<br />and Prevention (CDC) or the California Department of
<br />Public Health (CDPH) websites.
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