In the age of highly-contagious COVID-19, folks are wondering if tick borne diseases are contagious.

The answer to this question is not black or white. Some of the most common tick borne diseases in the United States are Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and the potentially deadly Powassan virus. Though these tick borne diseases are not contagious, there is one very serious disease that has been found to be contagious.

Novel bunyavirus causes a contagious tick borne disease.

Recent reports from China say that the tick-borne illness, Novel bunyavirus, is causing Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS). So far, about 40 people have been diagnosed with SFTS in China this year. SFTS with hemorrhagic fever not only has a fatality rate of 10 – 30%, it can be spread from person to person or animal to person. While most reports of this tick-borne illness come from Asia, the virus has been reported in the United States too, with less severe symptoms.

SFTS virus is contagious — SFTS virus, caused by Novel bunyavirus, is contagious.

How is the SFTS virus contagious?

The Novel bunyavirus is contracted by humans from infected Asian ticks. The resulting SFTS virus can cause, “fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and elevated serum hepatic enzymes,” according to an article on Firstpost. Early symptoms are fever and fatigue, which can also attributed to other tick-borne infections. Patients, who experience hemorrhagic fever with SFTS, die of multi-organ failure. The disease is passed to humans from infected animals or humans by blood contact, through open wounds, and through the respiratory system. While there is potential for this disease to be carried by an infected person from other countries, officials are not yet sounding the alarm about that threat. The CDC reports that there have been asymptomatic infections. With no vaccines or specific treatment regimens, officials only recommend avoiding tick bites at this time.

Avoid tick bites — Avoiding tick bites is our best hope in tick-borne disease prevention.

Protect your family with Central Mass tick control.

As with many tick borne illnesses, prevention is key. The lack of cures and

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast — Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

vaccines for illnesses, like Lyme disease and Powassan virus make tick control an essential part of our lives. This means having your yard treated with barrier tick control spray during the spring, summer, and fall, and employing tick tubes for winter. Avoiding tick bites is truly our best hope. Even though Novel bunyavirus and resulting SFTS seem to be happening so far from Central Mass, we must realize the potential for infection in the United States.

Also read: Do ticks carry COVID-19?

Amidst a global pandemic, and relating to ticks’ ability to spread diseases, many are asking, “Do ticks carry COVID-19?”

As a matter of fact, a lot of people are wondering if mosquitoes carry COVID-19, as well. The good news is, NO, ticks and mosquitoes are not known vectors of COVID-19. There is no evidence to support the spread of the coronavirus through ticks or mosquitoes, even though they do spread other types of viruses, such as bourbon, Babesiosis, dengue, Malaria, and West Nile. According to the CDC, COVID-19 is predominantly spread by human-to-human contact. There are slighter chances of infection resulting from contaminated surfaces, animal-to-human, and human-to-animal contact.

Central Mass ticks do not carry COVID-19, but they are responsible for spreading dangerous and potentially deadly diseases.

So, ticks are off the hook for spreading coronavirus, but they are still dangerous little blood-suckers. You probably hear more about Lyme disease than other tick-borne illnesses. Even though Lyme disease can become a lifelong battle, Central Mass ticks can spread even worse diseases. The Powassan virus is not only dangerous, it is potentially deadly, with a 10% death rate for all infections!

Tick-borne diseases are not just passed to humans.

Not only can tick-borne illnesses infect humans, livestock, wildlife, and pets are also susceptible to tick-inflicted maladies. Dogs can get Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis, and Hepatozoonosis. What’s more, our beloved family pets are apt to contract tick paralysis, a temporary, but horrifying result of neurotoxins in some tick bites. Wildlife and livestock have been notably killed by armies of the Asian longhorned tick, which bleed them to the point of no return.

Central Mass tick control will protect your home and family, including your beloved animals.

Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Even in the throes of a worldwide pandemic, we must remember that more time spent at home will result in more time spent outside our homes as the weather continues to warm up. Central Mass residents must reach out to their local tick control experts for essential barrier tick sprays from springtime through fall. EPA-registered tick sprays will alleviate your tick problem for up to three weeks’ time with a time-released formula. To keep ticks under control all year long, they must employ the use of tick tubes. It’s been a tough start to spring this year. Here’s to safer, happier times as we move through springtime and into summer!

Tag: tick-borne diseases

Are tick borne diseases contagious?