As of Could 29, the Kansas Division of Well being and Setting (KDHE) has obtained over 200 laboratory experiences of tick-borne ailments.
Moreover, KDHE has obtained a number of experiences of tick bites and complaints of excessive numbers of ticks, which signifies that tick exercise and density are rising and are occurring earlier within the season this 12 months.
Quite a few tick-borne ailments brought on by micro organism are current in Kansas.
These embody ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain noticed fever and different noticed fever group rickettsioses (SFGR), and tularemia. Two uncommon tick-borne viruses, Heartland virus and Bourbon virus, have additionally been recognized in Kansas in each people and ticks.
All of those tick-borne ailments are transmitted by the lone star tick, probably the most plentiful tick in Kansas. Lone star ticks could be discovered broadly all through not less than the japanese two-thirds of the state in a wide range of habitats and are aggressive human biters.
This 12 months alone, KDHE has investigated a number of tick-borne illness instances with extreme well being outcomes, together with hospitalizations attributable to Rocky Mountain noticed fever and tularemia, and a deadly case of Bourbon virus.
“Vector-borne ailments, each these which might be transmitted by ticks and people transmitted by mosquitoes are extraordinarily lively this 12 months,” Dr. Erin Petro, KDHE State Public Well being Veterinarian, stated.
“I actually encourage individuals to take the danger of vector-borne ailments severely and take private protecting measures for themselves and their pets to scale back their likelihood of buying an sickness from a tick or mosquito chew. We’re additionally seeing rising tick-associated situations, like alpha-gal syndrome, which might have lifelong penalties for these affected, which is why chew prevention is so essential.”
