Ticks can spread numerous diseases in humans and animals, such as spotted fevers and Lyme disease. According to the latest data from the CDC (2016-2019), these 10 states had the most cases of tick-borne diseases.
10. Virginia
Virginia had 6,179 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR, which includes Rocky Mountain spotted fever), and ehrlichiosis. Common symptoms of SFR include fever, headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain, and lack of appetite. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. Severe cases can become fatal without antibiotic treatment.
9. New Hampshire
New Hampshire had 6,303 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Anaplasmosis is a bacterial disease. Symptoms include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, malaise, and rash. Fever may pass in a few days, but symptoms may last a few weeks. Treatment is antibiotics.
8. Maryland
Maryland had 7,159 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR). Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infection which infects and kills white blood cells. Symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. Ehrlichiosis symptoms include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, fatigue, and joint pain. Requires immediate treatment with antibiotics.
7. Maine
Maine had 8,475 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Babesiosis is caused by parasites. Symptoms can last 6-8 weeks, or go asymptomatic for years. Most people never feel ill. The elderly and those with weak immune systems can have more severe symptoms. The treatment combines antibiotics, antiprotozoals, and antimalarial drugs.
6. Connecticut
Connecticut had 8,513 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. A bacterium causes Lyme disease. The most common sign is a circular rash spreading from the site of the bite. Other symptoms include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, joint stiffness, muscle aches and pains, and swollen lymph nodes. Without treatment, Lyme disease progresses.
5. Minnesota
Minnesota had 8,770 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. If untreated, Lyme disease moves into Stage 2 within 3-10 weeks. Symptoms include many rashes, neck pain, muscle weakness on one or both sides of the face, irregular heartbeat, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hands and feet, and eye or eyelid swelling.
4. Wisconsin
Wisconsin had 12,186 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common diseases were Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Untreated Lyme disease that reaches stage III has all the symptoms from earlier stages, plus arthritis in larger joints, particularly the knees. Symptoms typically begin 2-12 months after a bite. Immune system activity and eye nerves can cause pain or vision loss.
3. New Jersey
New Jersey had 18,565 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Most people infected from a tick bite don’t remember receiving it. Symptoms of Lyme disease can mimic other conditions. Learn the symptoms of Lyme disease and don’t ignore them. In the US, Lyme disease represents 80% of tick-borne diseases.
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2. New York
New York had 24,563 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common were Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Lyme disease in dogs may go asymptomatic for 2-5 months. If untreated in people or pets, the infection can spread to the joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.
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1. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania had 43,220 cases of tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases were Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR). The most serious and common SFR in the US is Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). After a bite, eschar (a scab) appears. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, rash, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, light sensitivity, and confusion.
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