Tickborne Diseases

If you think you may be sick from a tick bite, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible after you start to feel sick.

What diseases and illnesses are caused by ticks?

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and spread to humans by the bite of an infected Blacklegged tick.

For more information see Lyme Disease.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS)

AGS is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergy to certain kinds of meat that some people develop after being bitten by a tick. Evidence suggests that AGS is primarily associated with the bite of a lone star tick, but other kinds of ticks have not been ruled out. The allergy involves a carbohydrate called galactose-α-1,3-galactose (also known as alpha-gal). This carbohydrate is found in mammalian meat products such as beef, pork, venison and lamb. Alpha-gal can also be found in some other products such as milk and milk products, gelatin made from beef or pork and some pharmaceuticals.

For more information about Alpha-Gal Syndrome, please visit: Alpha-gal Syndrome | Ticks | CDC

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

Rickettsia rickettsii is a tick-borne bacterial disease belonging in the Spotted fever Rickettsial group (SFR).

For more information see Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis.

Ehrlichiosis

Two rickettsial bacteria species of ehrlichiosis are currently known to infect humans and cause illness; Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii.

For more information see Ehrlichiosis.

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterial agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum and is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected black-legged (Ixodes scapularis) tick.

For more information see Anaplasmosis.

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is caused by a couple different parasites of the Babesia genus. There is Babesia divergens and Babesia duncani, but their vectors are not found here in Virginia and should not be considered as a cause of illness unless the individual has had recent relevent travel. The causative agent and culprit in Virginia Babesia cases is Babesia microti.

For more information see Babesiosis.

Rickettsia Parkeri

Rickettsia parkeri is a tick-borne bacterial disease belonging to the Spotted Fever Rickettsial group (SFR).

For more information see Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis.

Tularemia

Francisella tularensis is the bacterial pathogen that causes Tularemia. While rare in natural occurrence, Tularemia is of major public health concern and is listed as a category A bioterrorism agent for its historic role in biological weapon research.

For more information see Tularemia.

Heartland

Heartland virus, first identified in Missouri in 2009, has been described as a phlebovirus that can infect humans after the bite of an infected Lone Star tick.

Powassan Virus

Powassan Virus (POW) is a flavivirus that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Blacklegged tick.

 

Bourbon virus

Bourbon virus is a novel condition first detected in 2014. Research on this virus is still ongoing but it is believed to be a severe, tick-borne illness with a similar transmission cycle to Heartland virus.

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Last Updated: May 6, 2024