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Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks

Tick-borne diseases are those spread by the bite of an infected tick. These diseases can be caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses, although the diseases caused by bacteria are most common. Several tick species found in Connecticut can spread types of bacteria that can cause illness in humans, and infection with more than one is possible through one tick bite. Symptoms and treatment for each disease depends on the type of bacteria, parasite, or virus causing the illness. There are no vaccines to prevent these diseases. In Connecticut, surveillance is conducted to identify tick-borne diseases spread by ticks in the state and those that might be travel-related (diseases acquired out of the state). The Connecticut Department of Public Health conducts surveillance for the following tick-borne diseases:

  • Anaplasmosis
  • Babesiosis
  • Borrelia miyamotoi Disease
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Lyme Disease
  • Powassan virus Diease
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
  • Tularemia

Tick species and diseases they can spread in Connecticut include:

 

 

 

Blacklegged (“deer”) Tick
(Ixodes scapularis)

 Lone Star Tick
(Amblyomma americanum)		 American Dog Tick
(Dermancentor variabilis)		 Asian Longhorned Tick

 
Can spread:
  • Anaplasmosis
  • Babesiosis
  • Borrelia miyamotoi disease
  • Lyme disease
  • Powassan virus disease (can also be spread by Ixodes cookei)
  • Ehrlichia chaffeensis
  • Tularemia
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Tularemia
  • According to the CDC, “we do not yet know if and how often these ticks are able to pass these germs along to people and make them ill…..One recent experimental study found that this tick is not likely to contribute to the spread of Lyme disease bacteria in the United States.” (CDC, September 2021)

Tick Removal

Backyard Behavior Tick Study

Are your backyard activities increasing your chances of a tick bite? We need your help with scientific research to figure that out. NVHD has partnered with with Western Connecticut State University Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory to conduct a survey among residents that submit ticks for testing or identification. Visit wcsuticklab.com/ticks for more information.

 

          

Information on Submitting Ticks

See Forms & Applications