All articles tagged with #tick borne disease
A rare tick-borne virus called Powassan has reached a record number of U.S. cases (76 in 2025). The virus can be transmitted by ticks in as little as 15 minutes, can progress to severe neurological illness, and there are no vaccines or specific treatments—only supportive care. Most at risk are children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, making prevention through tick avoidance essential.
Powassan virus, carried by deer ticks, poses a deadly but rare risk in north‑central Minnesota, with Gull Lake highlighted as a high‑risk area as tick season peaks in late spring and early summer. Diagnostics can be tricky and the virus can cause severe neurological damage; there is no treatment. Prevention measures—such as wearing long clothing, using effective repellents, and applying permethrin—are emphasized, especially given historical and recent case data showing variability in Powassan incidence across the region.
A Northern California patient was hospitalized with a newly recognized and extremely rare tick-borne infection, Rickettsia lanei—the fourth documented human case worldwide (with prior California cases in 2004 and 2023, and a case in Oregon). The patient likely encountered an infected tick in a shaded area and was hospitalized for more than two weeks with fever, fatigue, headache, rash and loss of consciousness, but has since recovered. Rickettsia lanei is part of the spotted fever group, thought to circulate mainly in rabbits and can reach humans via the Pacific Coast tick; it was added to the list of newly recognized pathogens in 2024 and can resemble Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Public health officials emphasize tick prevention and ongoing surveillance.
Health officials warn that a deadly tick-borne disease capable of causing brain inflammation is spreading across the United States. The illness can progress to severe encephalitis or meningitis, with cases reported in multiple regions. There is currently no vaccine or specific cure; prevention centers on avoiding tick bites, using repellents, performing thorough tick checks after outdoor activity, and promptly removing any attached ticks.
A California resident has been diagnosed with Rickettsia lanei, the fourth known global case and likely infected in Northern California. The bacterium, related to the one that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, can cause severe illness and even death. State officials say California cases are extremely rare, and physicians are urged to consider starting doxycycline early for patients with tick exposure while awaiting tests.
Public health officials in Northern California confirmed the fourth human case of Rickettsia lanei, a rare tick-borne bacterium that can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever–like illness; transmitted by ticks such as the Pacific Coast tick, the disease can range from fever and rash to severe organ damage, and prevention centers on avoiding tick bites through protective clothing, staying off tall grasses, showering after outdoor activities, and checking pets.
New York confirms its first Bourbon virus case, diagnosed in a Long Island resident after tick exposure; the patient fell ill in 2021 with severe symptoms and was treated at Stony Brook University Hospital, with Dr. Luis Marcos identifying the infection as Bourbon virus.
A 1-month-old infant on Martha’s Vineyard contracted a rare but serious tick-borne Powassan virus, which can cause severe neurological diseases. The virus, transmitted by deer ticks, is increasingly detected in the area, with a small percentage of ticks infected. The infant suffered brain damage from meningitis and encephalitis caused by the virus, highlighting the rising risk of tick-borne illnesses during the season.
A newborn from Martha's Vineyard is fighting for her life after suspected infection with Powassan virus, a rare and potentially fatal tick-borne disease, highlighting concerns about tick season and the importance of prevention measures.
Public health officials are investigating a potential case of Powassan virus on Martha's Vineyard, a rare but serious tick-borne disease with no specific treatment, which has seen a slight increase in cases nationally and in Massachusetts. Preventative measures include treating clothing with permethrin, wearing tick-smart clothing, and performing thorough tick checks.
A rare tick-borne disease called babesiosis, caused by a parasite similar to malaria, is increasingly spreading into Virginia, with cases rising over the past decade, especially along the Eastern Shore. The disease, transmitted by deer ticks, can cause flu-like symptoms and severe complications in vulnerable populations. Public health officials advise preventive measures against tick bites and proper tick removal to reduce infection risk.
The Rhode Island Department of Health has confirmed a case of the rare tick-borne Powassan virus in a man in his 70s from Kent County, who is now recovering at home. Powassan is primarily found in the Northeast and Great Lakes region and can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness, with the potential for severe complications. Health officials urge the public to take preventive measures against ticks as spring approaches and to seek medical attention if they suspect they have been exposed to the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a potentially deadly tick-borne disease, after five people who had traveled to or lived in Baja California, Mexico, became infected. Three of the patients have died. RMSF is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. The CDC advises healthcare providers to consider RMSF as a potential diagnosis in patients who have recently traveled to northern Mexico and developed an unexplained fever. Prompt treatment with the antibiotic doxycycline is crucial in saving lives.
An outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in southern California has resulted in three deaths, with all five reported cases involving individuals who had recently traveled to or lived in Tecate, Mexico. The disease, transmitted by infected ticks, is endemic in several northern Mexican states bordering the U.S. The CDC has urged healthcare providers to consider RMSF when evaluating patients with fever who have recently been in northern Mexico. Symptoms include headache, fever, rash, abdominal pain, and muscle aches. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is crucial, as the disease can be fatal if not treated early. The CDC recommends taking preventive measures such as using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and checking for ticks after outdoor activities.
The CDC has issued an alert regarding an outbreak of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), a severe and potentially deadly disease transmitted through infected ticks. Three people have died and five have been hospitalized since July, with all cases linked to travel to the Mexican city of Tecate. RMSF is endemic in northern Mexico and parts of the southwestern US, and healthcare providers are advised to consider it when diagnosing patients with unexplained febrile illness who have traveled to these areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, rash, and organ damage, and prompt treatment with antibiotics is crucial to prevent complications or death. The CDC recommends seeking medical attention for symptoms after traveling to affected areas, protecting against tick bites, performing tick checks, and learning about RMSF symptoms.