Symptoms of TBRF can look a lot like Lyme symptoms and do not always include fevers, despite the name. Though lone star ticks do not carry the types of Borrelia that cause Lyme, they have been found to carry the types of Borrelia that cause TBRF. These Borrelia are closely related to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, or TBRF, is caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria of the genus Borrelia and sub-species Relapsing Fever Borrelia (RFB). Keep reading to learn about the illnesses lone star ticks can transmit. One of the most important reasons to be aware of lone star tick activity is that lone star ticks carry several disease-causing pathogens, including for diseases that can be deadly. However, lone star ticks have also been found in increasing numbers as far north as New York, New Hampshire, and Maine, reflecting an expansion of their territory that the public should be aware of to stay safe from tick-borne illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that lone star ticks are more common in the South than any other region additionally, they are common in the Southwestern state of Texas as well as southern parts of Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Where are lone star ticks found?Īs mentioned, the most common regions where lone star ticks are found are the Southwest, Southeast, Central South, and Midwest. This dot, along with the slightly larger size of lone star ticks compared to other hard-bodied ticks (such as deer ticks), can help identify lone star ticks and thus the diseases you may be at risk for if you are bitten.
However, the lone star tick does not get its name from the Texas flag, but rather the single white dots found on the backs of adult female lone star ticks. The lone star tick, known scientifically as amblyomma americanum, is a hard-bodied tick endemic to several states in the Southwest, Southeast, Central South, and Midwest. Image source: James Gathany Content Providers(s): CDC/ Michael L.