Ticks & Tick-borne Illnesses in Alabama - Alabama Department of Public Health
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A L A B A M A A & M A N D A U B U R N U N I V E R S I T I E S
Ticks & Tick-borne
Illnesses in Alabama
ANR-2315
What is a tick, why do ticks
bite, and why does it matter?
Ticks are very small external
parasites that feed by sucking
blood from animals (hosts),
including mammals, birds,
reptiles, and amphibians. Most
ticks go through four life stages:
egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged
nymph, and adult. After hatching
from eggs, ticks must consume
blood at every stage to survive,
and most ticks prefer a different Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, James Gathany
host at each life stage. Figure 1. Lone star tick (top left), black-legged tick (top
right), American dog tick (bottom right)
In Alabama, there are several
tick species, some of which carry What species of ticks are found
illness-causing bacteria that can in Alabama, and what hosts
be transferred to the hosts on do they bite?
which they feed. While we do not The lone star tick, Amblyomma
know the percentage of infected americanum, is the most abundant
ticks in Alabama, we do know tick species in Alabama. Adult
that many people become ill females are easily identified by a
from them every year. single white dot in the center of
All people who spend time their brown bodies, the feature that
outdoors, either in their backyard lends to their name. Lone star ticks
or the wilderness, are at risk of aggressively seek human and pet
exposure to ticks and contracting a hosts and may transmit disease. The American dog tick,
tick-borne illness. Hikers, hunters, Dermacentor variabilis, is an
outdoor workers, and other groups The black-legged tick, Ixodes
scapularis, is an abundant tick abundant tick species in Alabama.
are more likely to be bitten by ticks Adults of this species commonly
because their activities usually take species in Alabama. This species is
also known as the deer tick. This attach to human and pet hosts and
place in prime tick habitat. Horses, may transmit disease.
dogs, cats, and other pets that name should not be interpreted as
spend time outdoors can be bitten meaning that it only feeds on deer The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus
by ticks and infected with a tick- or is the only tick species found sanguineus, is found throughout
borne illness. If those pets come on deer. A reddish-brown body Alabama and commonly infests
inside, they can bring ticks into distinguishes adult females of this homes, animal pens, and dog
your home and put you at greater species. Black-legged ticks will kennels. They can spend their
risk of being bitten. readily attach to humans and pets entire life cycle indoors. Controlling
and may transmit disease. infestation in a home can be
www.aces.edu
difficult once this species “questing,” on the tips of grasses treated quickly. Dogs may also get
is established. Brown dog ticks and shrubs along a well-used path. spotted fever infections if bitten
prefer dogs, but will feed on Ticks cannot fly or jump; but when by an infected tick.
humans and other mammals. hosts brush past, ticks can quickly
Lyme disease. This is the most
They may transmit disease. climb onto their clothing or fur.
commonly reported vector-borne
The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma When a tick finds a prime location illness for humans in the United
maculatum, is found in Alabama on a host, it cuts into the skin, States, with approximately 300,000
and looks similar to the American inserts its feeding tube (hypostome), cases reported per year. Over the
dog tick. The species prefers to feed and begins feeding. past 10 years, the Southeast has
on large hosts such as livestock, experienced a tremendous increase
deer, and coyotes. Gulf Cost ticks What happens when ticks in the number of reported cases.
may attach to humans and pets are attached? Typical symptoms appear within
if given the opportunity and
During feeding, a tick will slowly days or weeks after being bitten
may transmit disease.
suck its host’s blood for several by an infected tick and may
days. If the tick contains an include fever, headache, chills, stiff
How do ticks find and stay infectious organism (pathogen), neck, fatigue, mental fogginess,
attached to hosts? it could be transmitted to the host depression, swollen lymph nodes,
Ticks find their hosts by sensing during this time. At its next feeding, muscle aches, and joint pain. A
animals’ breath, odor, heat, an infected tick can transmit telltale sign of Lyme disease is an
vibrations, or shadows. They pathogens to a new host, expanding red skin rash (figure 4),
also can find hosts by waiting, or potentially causing illness. called erythema migrans, located
anywhere on the body. This rash
may have a central area of clearing,
What illnesses can ticks cause? giving it a “bull’s-eye” appearance
Spotted fever. This illness caused (figure 5). Most, but not all, of those
by the spotted fever group of infected present a rash, but the
Rickettsia bacteria is the most rash may not be at the location
commonly reported tick-borne of the bite.
illness in Alabama. The best known Lyme disease is treated with
and most severe form of the illness antibiotics. If caught early enough,
is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. recovery is usually quick. If
Symptoms begin to present in a few treatment is not immediately
days to 2 weeks after infection and
include fever, headache, muscle
pain, lack of appetite, nausea,
vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Most people develop a spotted
red rash, typically around the wrists
and ankles at first. This rash can
spread to the entire body (figure 3).
Spotted fever infections are
treated with antibiotics. These
illnesses, like Lyme disease, are
difficult to diagnose because
of their nonspecific symptoms.
This is particularly true when the
rash is absent, which happens in
approximately 10 percent of cases.
Figure 2. Brown dog tick (top), Gulf Coast tick (bottom)
These infections can cause lifelong Figure 3. Spotted fever rash. Photo courtesy of the Centers for
Photos courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health problems or be fatal if not Disease Control and Prevention
James Gathany
2 Alabama Cooperative Extension System
cells, much like the parasite that
causes malaria. Symptoms may
never develop in some people.
Others may develop fever, chills,
sweats, headache, body aches,
loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue,
and anemia. If not treated early,
problems can become severe and
cause fatality. Dogs may become
infected with babesiosis as well.
Tularemia. This is caused by a
bacterium transmitted by ticks
and deer flies, or by handling
an infected animal’s carcass
such as when skinning a rabbit
without gloves. (Rabbits are
common carriers of this disease.)
Symptoms appear within 3 to 5
days after being bitten and include
Figure 4. Rashes caused by Lyme disease. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Lyme Disease Foundation. chills, headache, muscle aches,
vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and
swollen lymph nodes. Skin ulcers
received, infection can spread to Ehrlichiosis. This is another also may develop; they occur in
other parts of the body, and cause emerging tick-borne illness that about 80 percent of cases. It is
serious chronic medical issues. is more common in the South, not uncommon for symptoms to
particularly in dogs. Symptoms disappear for 1 to 3 days and return
Because Lyme disease can be
commonly occur within 5 to 10 days for 2 to 3 weeks. This disease can be
mistaken for other illnesses, such
of infection and may include fever, fatal but is successfully treated with
as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease,
headache, muscle ache, lethargy, antibiotics if diagnosed early.
ALS, fibromyalgia, mental illnesses,
confusion, nausea, and vomiting.
and more, it is important to watch Tick paralysis. This is one of a few
Less than 30 percent of infected
for other symptoms and educate tick-borne conditions not caused
adults develop a body rash. Serious,
yourself. Remember, too, that by a pathogen. The illness is caused
lifelong illness and possible fatality
horses and dogs can acquire this
can occur if antibiotic treatment is
disease from tick bites.
not administered quickly.
Southern tick-associated rash
Anaplasmosis. Symptoms typically
illness (STARI). STARI, also known
occur within 1 to 2 weeks after
as Masters disease, is an emerging
a bite from an infected tick and
tick-borne illness found particularly
include fever, headache, lethargy,
in the South. While symptoms
chills, cough, nausea, abdominal
are similar to Lyme disease, not
pain, muscle pain, and confusion.
much is known about its cause or
A rash is rare with anaplasmosis
long-term effects. Symptoms occur
infection. Early antibiotic treatment
within approximately 7 days of
can be successful, but long-term
infection and include fatigue, fever,
complications and death are possible.
headache, and muscle and joint
pain. A red bull’s-eye rash may form Babesiosis. Unlike other tick-borne
on the skin at the location of the illnesses in Alabama, babesiosis
bite. Antibiotics are used is not bacterial, so it does not
in treatment. respond to antibiotics. It is caused
by a parasite that infects red blood Figure 5. Bulls-eye rash caused by Lyme disease and STARI
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ticks & Tick-borne Illnesses 3
an allergic response within 4 to When the illness is not diagnosed
6 hours of ingestion. Symptoms early, treatment can be difficult,
include upset stomach, diarrhea, and chronic symptoms may
hives, itching, and anaphylaxis. A develop. Education is key to
blood test confirms the condition, preventing lifelong illness.
and avoiding red meat is the only
Pets are at risk of becoming
treatment.
infected with some of these
These are not exhaustive illnesses. If your pet spends time
descriptions of each illness, and outdoors, check them regularly
there are other tick-borne illnesses for ticks and be on the lookout
you and your pets could be infected for signs of lethargy, arthritis,
with. You should further educate lameness, fever, fatigue and change
yourself on the characteristics and in appetite. Because illness is
symptoms of them all. Be aware more difficult to detect in pets,
of how you feel if you are at risk it is important to closely watch
of coming into contact with ticks. their behavior. See a veterinarian
Individuals that acquire these immediately if you have reason to
diseases may not develop all the believe they are infected.
Figure 6. Lone star tick (top) Photo courtesy of Gerald Homes, symptoms listed, and the number
California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org.
Tick attached to skin (bottom) and combination of symptoms can When are ticks active and which
vary greatly from person to person. illnesses do they transmit?
by a neurotoxin produced in a Having more than one illness Because of the warm, southern
female tick’s salivary glands and at a time, or co-infection, also is climate, ticks in all life stages may
transmitted during attachment and possible. See a doctor immediately be active year-round in Alabama.
feeding. Symptoms usually occur if you suspect infection. The “wait The table on page 5 shows when
within 2 to 7 days and include and see” approach could be very each tick species is most active
headache, vomiting, fatigue, and harmful to you. Many tick-borne throughout the year and what
loss of muscle function. Treatment illnesses are successfully treated if illnesses they have the ability to
requires removal of the tick, after symptoms are recognized during transmit.
which symptoms go away within the early stages of infection.
hours to days. If untreated, it can
lead to respiratory failure and
death. Children in rural areas
during the spring, especially those
not checked around the neck,
scalp, and other areas upon coming
indoors, are at greatest risk of
getting tick paralysis.
Alpha-gal allergy. Also known
as the red meat allergy, this is an
emerging illness in the Southeast,
and like tick paralysis, is not
caused by a pathogen. This allergy
is induced in some people when
the saliva of an attached lone star
tick causes the immune system
to produce antibodies specific
to alpha-gal—a carbohydrate
found in red mammalian meat.
After this occurs, when a person
eats red meat, the meat triggers
Figure 7. Tick on a dog
4 Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Where can you be exposed over the entire body. Especially illness. Proper removal is incredibly
to ticks? focus on dark, moist places that important, because improper removal
Ticks are commonly found in the bend and fold: can increase your risk of infection.
following habitats: • hair/scalp To properly remove and dispose
• tall grasses and prairies • in and around ears of a tick, grasp the tick as close to
the skin as you can get with sterile
• shrubs and brush • under the arms tweezers or a tick tool (figure 8)
• low-lying branches • inside belly button and pull upward on the tick with
a steady, even tug. After the tick is
• leaf litter • around waist under waistband
removed, wash and disinfect the
• rotten logs or stumps • groin area area on the skin where the tick
• wooded areas and their edges • where bras pull snug to skin was attached. Wash your hands.
Dispose of the tick by submersing
• moist/humid areas • inside of thighs it in rubbing alcohol for more than
• beaches and dunes • around the knees and ankles 1 day, wrapping it tightly in tape
and throwing it away, or flushing it
• areas of lawn adjacent • in between fingers and toes
to woods or fields down the toilet.
For indoor/outdoor cats, check for
• stone walls and woodpiles ticks all over, particularly around
where small mammals live These are the don’ts
the ears and eyes. For dogs, also of tick removal:
Be on the lookout for brown dog check everywhere, especially
around the face, ears, neck, armpits, • Don’t try to scrape off a tick.
ticks on your pets and in your
home, furniture, animal pens, thighs, belly, tail, and toes. • Don’t twist or squeeze the tick;
and dog kennels. this can cause the mouthparts
to break off in the skin.
How is a tick properly removed
Where are the most common from the body? • Don’t burn a tick with a hot
places to find ticks attached match while it is still attached.
on the body? If you find an attached tick on
yourself or your pet, remove it as • Don’t apply a substance such as
Immediately after coming in from soon as you can. The longer the tick nail polish remover, petroleum
outside, you should check yourself, is attached, the greater the chance jelly, gasoline, or soap to the
significant others, and pets for ticks tick in an attempt to kill it while
it will transmit disease or cause
it is still attached.
Tick Species Months Active Illnesses Transmitted
Lone star Nymphs and adults: March to October alpha-gal allergy
ehrlichiosis
southern tick-associated rash illness
tick paralysis
tularemia
Black-legged Nymphs: March to June anaplasmosis
Adults: September to March babesiosis
Lyme disease
American dog Nymphs and adults: April to September ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
tick paralysis
tularemia
Brown dog Nymphs and adults: all year canine babesiosis
ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Gulf Coast Nymphs: December to April spotted fever rickettsiosis
Adults: May to August tick paralysis
Ticks & Tick-borne Illnesses 5
• Don’t touch the tick with Follow these guidelines Follow these guidelines for pets:
your fingers. while outside:
• Use a brush to facilitate full
• Don’t wash the tick down a • Walk along the center of a body checks.
drain; it can crawl back up the trail to avoid questing ticks
at trail edges. • Consult with your veterinarian
drain and into your home.
for effective tick control
• Do not sit on rotten logs products such as oral
How can tick encounters and or stumps; that is where ticks medication, impregnated
bites be prevented? seek refuge. collars, or topical treatments.
There is currently no vaccination • Wear protective gloves when • Prevent tick-borne illnesses
against Lyme disease or other tick- handling dead animals. in your pets—this may also
borne illnesses for humans. prevent illness in you!
It is incredibly important, therefore, Follow these guidelines
to take preventative measures immediately after coming indoors:
year-round when you are outside. • Carefully examine clothing,
gear, and pets. Ticks can ride
Follow these guidelines into your home on something
before going outside: and attach later.
• Wear light-colored long pants • Tumble clothes in a dryer on
and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck high heat for a half an hour to
the shirt tail into the pants, and kill undiscovered ticks.
tuck the pants legs into socks. • Conduct a full body check
• Put long hair in a bun or pull in the shower or by using Figure 8. Tick tool and tweezers to properly remove ticks
it up into a hat. a partner or a mirror. You
should do this for several days
• Wear close-toed shoes. following potential exposure
or make it part of your
• Use repellents that contain
daily routine.
greater than 20 percent DEET
on exposed skin and clothing. • Check skin for any bumps,
scabs, or dirt specks that might
• Treat clothing and gear with indicate a tick, especially on
products containing 0.5 percent the scalp. If you feel something,
permethrin. This is the most don’t squeeze or press it.
effective preventative measure
Check it.
when used according to
the label.
6 Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Tick
Danger Zones
Ticks & Tickborne Illnesses 7
ANR-2315 Emily Merritt, Research Associate, School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences, and Arnold Beau Brodbeck, Regional Extension Agent, Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resource Management Adapted and used with permission from CIS 1013, University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System, Mary Ann Lawrowski, author. For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit www.aces.edu/directory. Published by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University), an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome! August 2016, ANR-2315 © 2016 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved. www.aces.edu
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