As of May 29, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has received over 200 laboratory reports of tick-borne diseases.

Additionally, KDHE has received several reports of tick bites and complaints of high numbers of ticks, which indicates that tick activity and density are increasing and are occurring earlier in the season this year.

Numerous tick-borne diseases caused by bacteria are present in Kansas.

These include ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR), and tularemia. Two rare tick-borne viruses, Heartland virus and Bourbon virus, have also been identified in Kansas in both humans and ticks.

All of these tick-borne diseases are transmitted by the lone star tick, the most abundant tick in Kansas. Lone star ticks can be found widely throughout at least the eastern two-thirds of the state in a variety of habitats and are aggressive human biters.

This year alone, KDHE has investigated several tick-borne disease cases with severe health outcomes, including hospitalizations due to Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia, and a fatal case of Bourbon virus.

“Vector-borne diseases, both those that are transmitted by ticks and those transmitted by mosquitoes are extremely active this year,” Dr. Erin Petro, KDHE State Public Health Veterinarian, said.

“I really encourage people to take the risk of vector-borne diseases seriously and take personal protective measures for themselves and their pets to reduce their chance of acquiring an illness from a tick or mosquito bite. We’re also seeing emerging tick-associated conditions, like alpha-gal syndrome, which can have lifelong consequences for those affected, which is why bite prevention is so important.”

SOURCE: Kansas Department of Health and Environment