Other Diseases Spread by Ticks in Massachusetts

1. Babesiosis
   Babesiosis is a rare and sometimes severe disease caused by a microscopic parasite (a type of germ similar to those that cause malaria) that infects red blood cells. The parasite is spread by deer ticks. The disease is found most commonly in coastal areas in the northeastern United States. In Massachusetts, the majority of cases are reported from Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Cape Cod.

   Babesiosis in Massachusetts: An Update for Health Care Providers, 2002
   This document provides physicians with information on clinical manifestions, laboratory testing, reporting, epidemiology, and prevention.

   Public Health Fact Sheet on Babesiosis

   This document summarizes what babesiosis is, where it is found, how it is spread, diagnosed, treated and prevented.

2. Ehrlichiosis
   Ehrlichiosis is caused by bacteria (germs) that attack specific types of white blood cells. Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is caused when the bacteria attack the granulocytes, one type of white blood cell. Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) is caused when the bacteria attack the monocytes, another type of white blood cell. Both of these diseases were only first recognized in the early 1990's. The bacterium that causes HGE is transmitted by the deer tick. The bacterium that causes HME is transmitted by the lone star tick, which is rarely found in Massachusetts. In the United States, HGE is most often reported in the northeastern and upper-midwestern states. HME is most often reported in the southeastern and southcentral states. In Massachusetts, the majority of cases are reported from the southeastern coast, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard.

   Ehrlichiosis in Massachusetts: An Update for Health Care Providers, 2002
   This document provides physicians with information on clinical manifestions, laboratory testing, reporting, epidemiology, and prevention.

   Public Health Fact Sheet on Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE) (PDF)
   This document summarizes what HGE is, where it is found, how it is spread, diagnosed, treated and prevented.

3. Tularemia
   Tularemia is a rare disease caused by the bacterium (germ) Francisella tularensis and can be spread to people in a number of ways, including through the bite of a dog tick.

   DPH Tularemia Information

4. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
   Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a disease caused by the bacterium, (germ), Rickettsia rickettsii. The bacterium is spread by the dog tick. RMSF is most often reported from Cape Cod and the surrounding islands, although some cases have occurred in central Massachusetts.

   Public Health Fact Sheet on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (PDF)
   This document summarized what RMSF is, how it is spread, diagnosed, treated and prevented.