Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta are asking people to take due precautions when going out into natural environments, Well, the ‘lone star’ tick is spreading to other states where it wasn’t seen before, like New York.
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These ticks are carriers of a mysterious virus called Heartland, the which it can sicken or even kill older adults or people with underlying conditions.
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Test samples revealed that lone star ticks in Georgia had contracted the Heartland virus, Emory University researchers reported in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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“We want to raise awareness rather than panic,” said Gonzalo M. Vazquez-Prokopec, co-author of the Emerging Infectious Diseases study and an associate professor of environmental sciences at Emory. “This time of year people tend to go out more in the spring and could be exposed to ticks, which are increasing rapidly, particularly in the south,” he said.
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What is the Heartland virus that transmits the tick
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Heartland virus was first identified in Missouri in 2009. According to the researchers, the genetic fingerprint of the virus found in Georgia differs from that found in other states. This suggests that the virus may be rapidly mutating.
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Vázquez-Prokopec explains that there is no formal test or treatment for Heartland virus, and the level of transmission to humans is unknown. “Our findings contribute to the understanding of a poorly understood pathogen that could become a public health problem as people spend more time outdoors, whether for recreation or work.
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Since its discovery, more than 50 cases of the Heartland virus have been seen in 11 states, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Many of these infections were so severe that patients had to be hospitalized. In some cases, patients with other chronic diseases died from the infection.
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How is the lone star claw
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The lone star tick, which has a telltale white dot on its back, is so small it can go unnoticed on your skin, and you may not even know if you’ve been bitten.
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To get an idea of how ubiquitous the virus is in Georgia, the research team collected nearly 10,000 ticks. About one in 2,000 carried the Heartland virus, the researchers found.
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The lone star tick and the Heartland virus it carries may be spreading as climate change brings warmer winters, allowing the tick to expand its range. And as more people live near wooded areas, they are more likely to come into contact with deer and other animals that carry the virus.
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Heartland virus symptoms include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain. The virus can also affect blood counts and liver function.
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Tick exposure can occur throughout the year, but ticks are most active during the warmer months (April-September).
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How to prevent a bite from this tick
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To prevent a tick-borne health problem, the CDC advises these steps:
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- Be careful when walking through woods, grass or bushes.
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- Avoid areas with tall grass and leaf litter, look for the center of trails.
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- Also exercise extreme caution if you are going to be around animals.
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- Spray your clothes with repellants that contain 0.5% permethrin.
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- Also use EPA-registered insect repellants.
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- If you’ve been out in the country, take a shower as soon as you get home.
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- And check your clothes well, if you see that you have ticks, remove them using gloves.
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