Diseases that can be Transmitted by Ticks
Most tick bites do not result in disease, but it is a good idea to recognize and watch for the early symptoms of some of the more commonly encountered tick-transmitted diseases.
Tick-borne diseases of concern in Minnesota include:
- Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a potentially serious bacterial infection affecting both humans and animals. The incidence of Lyme disease in Minnesota has been increasing in recent years.
- Human
Anaplasmosis (HA)
Human anaplasmosis, formerly known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is a bacterial disease that was first recognized in Minnesota in the early 1990s. It is transmitted to people by deer ticks, the same ticks that transmit Lyme disease. HA is less common than Lyme disease, however.
- Babesiosis
Babesiosis is a protozoan infection that occurs infrequently in Minnesota. Approximately 20% of patients diagnosed with Babesiosis also have Lyme disease from the same deer tick bite.
- Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is extremely rare in Minnesota, but isolated cases have been reported from the southern section of the state.
- Southern
Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI)
CDC; While STARI is not a known public health concern in Minnesota at this time, people who travel to the south-central United States may be at risk for the disease. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Ehrlichiosis
CDC; Ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis is found throughout much of southeastern and southcentral United States and is not a common disease in Minnesota at this time, although a small number of cases have been reported. Ehrlichiosis due to the Ehrlichia murin-like agent was first reported in 2009. Since then, low numbers of cases have been reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Powassan (POW) Virus
Powassan (POW) virus is a tick-transmitted flavivirus.
- Tularemia
Tularemia is a potentially serious illness that occurs naturally in the United States. It is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found in animals (especially rodents, rabbits, and hares).
Spotlight
Blacklegged tick (deer tick) life stages next to a metric ruler. The adult ticks (two ticks at the left) are approximately 1/8 of an inch long, while the nymph (third from left) is just under 1/16 of an inch.
June 29, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus
May 6, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Anaplasmosis Rivals Lyme Disease As Record Numbers of Minnesotans Sick from Tick-Borne Diseases in 2010.
Special Review Panel Unaimously Upholds Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines: Short-term Antibiotics Proven to be Best Treatment for Patients
4/2010 Update: Special review panel unanimously upholds Lyme disease treatment guidelines. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
High Risk Areas in Minnesota
A map that shows counties of highest Tick-borne risk in Minnesota.
Ticks
Learn about blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) including their life cycle, feeding habits, habitat, and population control. Also includes information on American dog ticks, the vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Minnesota.
Preventing Tick-Transmitted Disease
Information about minimizing your risk of tick-transmitted diseases, protecting your pets, and removing ticks.
Tickborne Prevention Poster: Spray Before You Work or Play
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
