facts

The following are among the tick-borne
diseases have been identified in ticks and
diagnosed in people in Kansas & Missouri.
o        Lyme Disease
o        Master’s disease (similar to Lyme in rash,
other symptoms, and treatment)
o        Ehrlichiosis
o        Rocky Mountain spotted fever
o        Tularemia
o        Babesiosis strain MO-i in Missouri
*-        Missouri is one of the leading states in
reports of ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted
fever and tularemia
>        Ticks on migrating birds carry tick-borne
diseases to new areas
>        Lone star and deer tick nymphs (baby
ticks) are very small, about the size of a poppy
seed, and are often unnoticed
>        Ticks feed on mammals, birds, and
reptiles. Wild animals can be infected with tick-
borne diseases without becoming ill, and they
then serve as reservoirs to infect other ticks
o        Deer, rabbits, mice, and other small
mammals are common reservoir hosts.
o        Dogs, cats, and farm animals can become
ill with tick-borne diseases.
~        People can be at risk from ticks that hitch
a ride into the home on pets
>        An individual can become re-infected if
bitten again at a later time by another infected
tick
>        More than one disease can be acquired
from a single tick bite
>        Co-infections make diagnosis and
treatment more difficult
~‘        People are becoming infected with Lyme
& other tick-borne diseases throughout the
Kansas City metropolitan area, on both sides of
the state line

We cannot emphasize enough that tick-borne
diseases are a threat throughout the United States
and in many other countries. Tick-borne diseases
can be contracted at home, or when traveling for
work or pleasure. Tick-borne diseases are present
in our community. People can pick up ticks at area
parks, camps, golf courses, farms, and even
backyards.

>        Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing
infectious diseases in the United States
>        Lyme disease is the most prevalent
tick-borne disease, but other tick-borne diseases
are also on the increase
~        Cases of Lyme disease have been reported
in 49 states, including Kansas and Missouri, and 87
countries
>        Deer ticks, also called black-legged ticks,
(Ixodes scapularis), and lone star ticks
(Amblyomma americanum) transmit Lyme disease in
Kansas and Missouri. American dog ticks
(Dermacentor variabilis) can carry the Lyme
bacteria, but it is not known whether they transmit
the disease.