Five Tick Diseases You Should Know About

Date: 7.23.2008

Just like reports on the Weather Channel showing how it might be hot in one portion of the country but cool or stormy in another, a Tick Channel might explain how risk for Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis currently is plaguing the northeast and mid-Atlantic USA, while Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the greatest risk for people in the southeast, and ehrlichiosis is breaking out in the Ozark Plateau.

- Thomas Mather

Lyme disease isn't the only tick-transmitted disease causing concern around the USA this summer. In a recent article published on FoxNews.com, URI TickEncounter Resource Center's Thomas Mather helps journalist Marrecca Fiore (URI '97, Journalism) explain the regional nature of tick-transmitted diseases and what to look out for if you are bitten by a tick.

Direct Link to Article on FoxNews.com

Current Tick Activity in the Northeast and mid-West United States

February update: Adult stage Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are not killed by freezing temperatures! During winter months they can still be active on days when temperatures are above freezing. Activity resumes following several consecutive days of thawing temperatures, especially if the ground thaws. Learn more about the deer tick life cycle.

Let us know if you find a tick on you or your pet! Use our tick identification chart to identify tick and then visit the Current Tick Activity page to complete 2 question form.

Not from New England or mid-West? Visit our regional Current Tick Activity page for a complete view of ticks biting in your area.

Current Tick Activity

A tick with wings!? What's flat like a tick, sucks blood like a tick, gets on deer like a tick, but isn't a tick?

Tick Notes