Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria (Borrelia
burgdorferi) which is transmitted by ticks. It may be cured
by early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, but it
may persist in the human body for years, if not properly treated.
Lyme disease was named for Old Lyme, Connecticut, where the first
cases of Lyme disease were reported. The first case in California
was reported in 1978. It is currently the most commonly reported
tick-borne disease in California, as well as in the United
States.
Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Anaplasma
phagocytophilum, transmitted to humans by tick bites.
It is less common than Lyme disease in California but is
transmitted by the same tick, the western black-legged tick
(Ixodes pacificus). On the east coast of the
United States, the tick vector is the deer tick (Ixodes
scapularis). It is treatable with antibiotics and
rarely fatal. A person who has been bitten by a tick
and develops symptoms of Anapslasmosis should see their
physician.
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 is primarily transmitted by summer ticks, the American
dog tick (Dermacentor variablis). It may be cured by
early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Borrelia miyamotoi infection refers to a type of illness
caused by the bacteria Borrelia miyamotoi carried by
ticks. In San Mateo County, the ticks that carry bacteria
that cause this illness are Ixodes pacificus, the
western black-legged tick. It is closely related to the
bacteria that causes tick-borne relapsing fever. The
infection is treatable with antibiotics. A person who has
been bitten by a tick and develops symptoms of Borrelia
miyamotoi infection should see their
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) 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.
