RMSF Rare in NJ But Spreading Elsewhere
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200625124939.htm
Dangerous tick-borne bacterium extremely rare in New Jersey
The mystery behind the rise in spotted fever cases continues
Date: June 25, 2020Source: Rutgers UniversitySummary:There’s some good news in New Jersey about a potentially deadly tick-borne bacterium. Researchers examined more than 3,000 ticks in the Garden State and found only one carrying Rickettsia rickettsii, the bacterium that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. But cases of tick-borne spotted fevers have increased east of the Mississippi River, and more research is needed to understand why. (See link for article)
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**Comment**
Important quote:
„CDC researchers recently found that the invasive Asian longhorned tick, like the American dog tick and lone star tick, is an efficient vector of Rickettsia rickettsii in the lab,“ said senior author Dina M. Fonseca.
I’m surprised they didn’t mention that the brown dog tick has outbreaks in Mexico.
This is worrisome because the brown dog tick is more likely to bite people and it adapts easily to living in a house.. Researchers worry it may be spreading to California and the Southern U.S. It also appears to transmit a more virulent form of RMSF: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/08/16/new-tick-causes-epidemic-of-rmsf/
RMSF Rare in NJ But Spreading Elsewhere — Madison Area Lyme Support Group
