Not all ticks spread disease, and not every tick bite will make you sick. Still, it is important to know about ticks, the diseases they can carry, and how to prevent bites. There are many types of ticks, but the most common ones in North Dakota are the American dog tick and the blacklegged tick, also called the deer tick. Sometimes ticks carry germs like bacteria or viruses that can pass to a person while the tick is attached and feeding. The best way to avoid these diseases is to prevent tick bites.
Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is a type of food allergy. It is also called red meat allergy or tick bite meat allergy. In the United States, AGS is likely caused by the bite by a lone star tick or potentially a blacklegged tick. When a tick has alpha-gal in its saliva and bites a person, it can transfer alpha-gal to a person. The persons immune system can react and cause an allergic reaction when they eat meat or products from mammals. Examples of meat and products from mammals are beef, pork and lamb, and dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Some medications and medical products can also contain mammalian products and may also cause a reaction.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually occur 2-6 hours after eating and the symptoms can range in severity. Some people have mild reactions to only a few products, other people can have life threatening reactions. A doctor or allergist can test for AGS and help people understand what products to avoid.
There is no treatment for AGS but people with AGS can prevent reactions by avoiding meat or other products that contain alpha-gal. Over time, some people may become less sensitive to alpha-gal products and can have alpha-gal products again without a reaction. Alpha-gal Syndrome became reportable in North Dakota in 2024.
Anaplasmosis is caused by bacteria called Anaplasma phagocytophilum. People can get it from the bite of an infected tick, mainly the blacklegged tick (also called the deer tick) and the western blacklegged tick found along the Pacific Coast. Common symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. Anaplasmosis became a reportable disease in North Dakota in 2011.
In the United States, babesiosis is caused by parasites (Babesia microti) that infect red blood cells. An infected blacklegged tick bites a person and passes the parasite into the bite wound. Many people who have babesiosis do not have symptoms. Some people may experience fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, nausea, or fatigue. Babesiosis became reportable in North Dakota in 2011.
Ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia. There are three types of Ehrlichia bacteria. An infected lone star tick or blacklegged tick bites a person and spreads the bacteria into the bite wound. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes upset stomach. Ehrlichiosis became reportable in North Dakota in 2011.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a bullseye skin rash. Lyme Disease became reportable in North Dakota in 1988.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected dog tick. Most people who get sick with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF became reportable in North Dakota in 1944.
Tularemia is a disease caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. This disease is commonly found in wild mammals, but humans and domestic animals are sometimes infected. Ticks and deer flies are common vectors of the disease. An infected lone star tick or dog tick bites a human or animal and spreads the bacteria through the bite wound.
The bacteria can also be transmitted by ingestion, inhalation, and direct contact with mucous membranes and broken skin. Six different forms of tularemia can affect humans and symptoms vary depending on how the person was infected. Tularemia became reportable in North Dakota in 1944.