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Lyme Disease &
Ticks
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A serious tick-borne disease -
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Summary: Certain ticks carry and
spread a serious bacterial disease called Lyme
Disease. The disease organisms are transmitted when
ticks bite to feed on blood. Both people and pets
are susceptible to this disease so effective action
should be taken to protect against tick bites.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Lyme Disease
(also called Lyme borreliosis) is caused by a
bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) that may be
transmitted when certain ticks in the genus Ixodes
[more tick pictures] bite. The
name "Lyme" comes from the town in Connecticut, USA
where it was first found in the US. The disease was
originally described in Germany in the late 1800's.
Ticks that carry Lyme
Disease
Two tick species are
primarily responsible for transmission of the Lyme
Disease pathogen to humans in North America. One is
common throughout the central and eastern US [picture of Ixodes scapularis]
and the other is common along the Pacific coast and
in other western states (right). Both feed on
mammals, birds, and lizards as well as humans.
common misspellings:
lime disease
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Western
black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus.
Transmits Lyme disease in western US. Photo
is black and white, actual coloration is red
and black.
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Ticks acquire the
microorganisms that cause Lyme Disease when they feed
on an infected animal such as a mouse or deer. When
infected ticks feed they may transfer these organisms
to the next host. Some reports indicate that ticks
must be attached and feeding for at least 24
hours before disease transmission is likely to
occur which is why prompt removal of ticks is so
important.
Animal reservoirs of
Lyme Disease
An animal reservoir
is the species in which a disease organism, in this
case the Lyme Disease bacterium, resides and serves as
the source of the pathogen. For example, rodents are
the animal reservoir for the Plague bacterium and
fleas spread the Plague between rodents and humans.
Increased incidence of
Lyme Disease in central and eastern states in the US may
be related to the increased abundance of white-tailed
deer, and ticks, and their proximity to housing
developments. Mice, and the ticks that live on them,
are also suspects in transmission of Lyme Disease.
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What to do about tick
bites
Remove ticks
immediately when found because this greatly reduces
the chance that disease organisms will be transferred
from tick to you (see How
to Safely Remove Ticks). Also, use insect
repellents during summer if your activity takes
you into tick habitat. Check yourself and pets
carefully for ticks after visiting areas with tall
grass or brush. If a rash develops and grows
around the tick bite seek medical attention
immediately. Lyme Disease is highly
treatable with antibiotics when detected early --
early detection is the key to preventing disease.
Are pets susceptible to
Lyme Disease?
Yes.
Both dogs and cats can be infected with the Lyme
Disease pathogen from tick bites. Pets should be
protected with regular treatments of flea and tick
medications and prompt removal of ticks when found
(see Related Articles below).
Using
Insect Repellents to Protect Against Ticks
Using Flea and Tick
Medications on Pets
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Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
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