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Tickborne Diseases

⭐️ Disclaimer: This page is intended to increase awareness and should not be used as a source for medical advice or diagnosis. If you think you have a tick-borne disease, seek a medical professional’s guidance for appropriate assistance!

Bacteria, viruses, or parasites transmitted by ticks are called “tick-borne pathogens” and they can cause “tick-borne diseases”. When a tick bites a person or pet, infection can occur depending on whether that tick was carrying a tick-borne pathogen and how long the tick was embedded. It’s essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of common tick-borne diseases in New Jersey and seek medical attention as soon as possible after a tick bite if you suspect an infection.

The most common symptoms of a tick-borne disease are non-specific flu-like symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, headache, joint pain, and muscle aches. Symptoms may develop within a few days to several months after the initial tick bite. This makes them hard to differentiate from other illnesses. Some tick-borne diseases are associated with a rash, but not all people will develop the rash. Some people do not become sick after being infected with a tick-borne pathogen.

Note: It is possible to have more than one tick-borne illness simultaneously. This is either because the tick was infected with more than one pathogen or you were potentially bitten by multiple ticks.

Anaplasmosis

  • Associated with the blacklegged (deer) tick.
  • Dogs can also contract this disease.

Babesiosis

  • Associated with the blacklegged (deer) tick.
  • Dogs can also contract this disease.

Lyme Disease

  • Associated with the blacklegged (deer) tick.
  • Dogs can also contract this disease.

Ehrlichiosis

  • Associated with the lone star tick and Gulf Coast tick.
  • Dogs can also contract this disease.

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses (SFGR)

  • It is not well understood which tick species transmits this in New Jersey but it may be associated with the American dog tick, lone star tick, brown dog tick, or Gulf Coast tick

Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases in New Jersey

Tick populations in New Jersey are changing in distribution and abundance, so there may also be new and undetected tick-borne diseases in the state. It’s vital to identify ticks and potential pathogens in New Jersey, and that’s why we encourage you to submit any and all ticks to NJ Ticks 4 Science! While this page highlights common, emerging, and future tick-borne diseases that could affect New Jersey residents, there are rising cases of tick-borne disease all over the United States. As citizen scientists, becoming educated on your surroundings and pathogens will keep you and your loved ones safe when enjoying the outdoors!

Powassan Virus

  • Associated with the blacklegged (deer) tick and groundhog tick.

Borrelia miyamotoi disease

  • Associated with the blacklegged (deer) tick.

Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)

  • Associated with the lone star tick and Gulf Coast tick.

Heartland Virus

  • Associated with the lone star tick.

Alpha-gal syndrome

  • Associated with the lone star tick.
  • Allergy to red meat.

For the New Jersey list of communicable diseases spread by ticks (and mosquitoes), visit the New Jersey Department of Health’s website Fight the Bite, NJ!.

For a further list of the tick-borne diseases in the United States and specific descriptions of each condition, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website on Diseases Transmitted by Ticks.

Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases in Domesticated Animals

Cytauxzoonosis

  • Associated with the lone star tick, and affects domestic cats.
  • Summarized here

American Canine Hepatozoonosis (ACH)

  • Associated with dog ingesting an infected Gulf Coast tick.
  • Summarized here

Theileriosis

  • Associated with the Asian longhorned tick, and affects domesticated cattle.
  • Summarized here