Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of new tick diseases. In fact, according to John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the increase in annual tick-borne disease cases stems from growing tick populations. Additionally, the study notes climate changes, such as greater and longer availability of warm and humid conditions allow tick populations to thrive. While many people are aware of the connection between ticks and diseases like Lyme disease, new tick diseases are also on the rise. Consequently, tick bite prevention and expert tick control services are more imperative than ever before. The guide below explores common types of ticks, the diseases that they may carry and what you need to know about emerging tick-borne diseases.
Common Ticks and the New and Existing Diseases They May Transmit
Ticks are often thought of as summer bugs. However, warmer spring and fall seasons mean a longer and more dangerous timeline of concern. Since warmer temperatures provide a habitable environment for ticks, the more people spend time outside, then the greater their chance of a tick bite. As a result, you may encounter ticks in your yard and other outdoor locations, or they may be carried inside your home on your clothes or via your pet. Fortunately, the CDC provides map designations about tick presence, further details about common ticks, such as those in Eliminate ‘Em’s service area, and associated tickborne diseases.
Ticks in the Northeast
- Blacklegged tick (deer tick): In addition to more well-known tick diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, bites from the Blacklegged tick may also transmit newly prominent tick diseases, including babesiosis and Powassan virus.
- Lone star ticks: These ticks are known for frequently biting humans and, in doing so, can transmit diseases like ehrlichiosis and tularemia and may trigger alpha-gal syndrome – a life-threatening allergic condition that CNN warns is on the rise.
- American dog tick: Female American dog ticks in particular may be more likely to bite humans. Tick-borne diseases associated with these bites include tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Brown dog tick: The Brown dog tick, a carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, is found throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Other Ticks Found in the U.S.
The western blacklegged tick often appears in regions on the Pacific coast and may transmit diseases, such as anaplasmosis, Lyme disease and hard tick relapsing fever. The Gulf Coast tick can transmit a type of spotted fever, and it is prevalent in southeastern states bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. A new arrival to the United States within the last decade, the Asian longhorned tick has been found in many states, but current or new disease transmission assessment related to their presence is ongoing.
3 New Tick Diseases
With cases of new and known tick diseases growing each year, ticks present a significant danger to the humans and animals with which they come into contact. Here’s what you need to know about the three tick-borne diseases that are concerning experts across the country:
- Powassan virus: With no vaccines or treatments to address this virus, climbing case numbers are worrisome, as emphasized by the CDC. Symptoms of this tick-borne disease range from fever and headaches to confusion and seizures, and infection with this virus can also lead to conditions like encephalitis and meningitis.
- Babesiosis: This tick disease isn’t necessarily new, but the number of cases is increasing as with anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. It is also becoming more common in places where it wasn’t previously found, according the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, shortness of breath or abdominal pain.
- Wetland virus: While it shares some of the same symptoms as other tick diseases, health resource Prevention explains that this tick-borne illness is particularly dangerous because of its potential to impact the brain. Additionally, treatments with antibiotics have been unsuccessful to date. Currently, cases of this new tick disease stem solely from a specific region of China.
Tips for Tick Disease Prevention
Wearing long pants and long sleeves in the escalating summer heat may not be feasible. However, to help reduce the risk of a tick bite, the following strategies can help you protect yourself and your loved ones against exposure to new and familiar tick diseases:
- Keep grass cut short.
- Clear out rotting logs, wooden boards, fall leaves and dead branches.
- Check people and pets for ticks after being outside.
- Use this visual tick guide from the University of Rhode Island to help you identify any ticks you may spot.
- Explore natural tick repellents like essential oils and certain plants.
Protect your family against tick diseases with tick prevention recommendations and treatments from Eliminate ‘Em. Don’t wait until you see a tick attached to your dog or child or find a round, red sore that might be a tick bite. Instead, minimize your risk of exposure to new tick diseases and known illnesses with Eliminate Em’s professional tick control services. For tick treatments or any other pest or wildlife control, contact our expert team today!
