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Programs -> Disease Surveillance -> Tick-borne Diseases
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Tick-borne Diseases:
What Is Tularemia?  |
| Dermacentor variablis |
Tularemia, rabbit or deerfly fever, is a relatively rare bacterial disease transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of ticks. It is much less common that Lyme disease in California and in primarily transmitted by summer ticks, the American Dog tick (Dermacentor variablis). It may be cured by early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment.
How is Tularemia transmitted
- Through the bite of an infected tick or deerfly.
- Handling infected animal carcasses, most likely rodents or rabbits.
- Exposure of contaminated water.
- Breathing in Tularemia bacteria.
This disease can be fatal if not treated immediately and with the appropriate antibiotics. If you think you have Tularemia, seek medical attention. Tularemia does not spread from person to person.
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If I am bitten by a tick, will I get Tularemia?
Tularemia is very rare among ticks in San Mateo County. Less than 1% of the adult ticks tested were found to be infected with the bacterium that causes this disease.
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What are the signs and symptoms of Tularemia?
- Sudden fever
- Chills
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
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- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Dry cough
- Progressive weakness
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Symptoms vary depending on the method of transmission.
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For more information on Tularemia - Click Here
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| Dermacentor sp. |
What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial disease (Rickettsia rickettsii) transmitted by ticks of the genus Dermacentor. These ticks are most common during spring and summer. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is very rare in San Mateo County.
How is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever transmitted?RMSF is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.
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If I am bitten by a tick, will I get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?There have been cases of this disease in San Mateo County but it is extremely rare.
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What are the signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
- Sudden onset of fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
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- A red, spotted, non-itchy rash covering much of the body including the palms of hands and soles of feet.
- Lack of appetite
- Severe headache
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The rash first appears 6 days after the onset of fever and is often not present or may be very subtle when the patient is initially seen by a physician. Younger patients usually develop the rash earlier than older patients. Most often it begins as small, flat, pink, non-itchy spots (maculae) on the wrists, forearms, and ankles. These spots turn pale when pressure is applied and eventually become raised on the skin. This type of rash occurs in only 35% to 60% of patients with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The rash involves the palms or soles in as many as 50% to 80% of patients; however, this distribution may not occur until later in the course of the disease. As many as 10% to 15% of patients may never develop a rash.
Three key diagnostic signals are 1) a previous tick bite 2) a rash covering the trunk 3) severe illness with a sudden onset.
For more information on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - Click Here
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