The ticks infected with the virus were first identified in a recreational area in central Georgia, says one author of the study, Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec, PhD, an associate professor in the department of environmental sciences at Emory University in Georgia. The study was published in the most April 2022 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. “This study confirms the presence of the virus in Georgia and, more importantly, that it is being transmitted by the lone star tick, the most abundant tick species that bites humans in the state,” says Dr. Vazquez-Prokopec.
Lone Star Ticks Have Been Found From Maine to Texas
The lone star tick is found throughout the eastern, southeastern and south central states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The abundance, range, and distribution of the ticks has increased in the past two to three decades — large numbers of the ticks have been found as far north as Maine and as far west as central Texas and Oklahoma. The adult tick is barely a quarter of an inch in diameter — so small that you may not feel it on you or even notice if you’ve been bitten by one, according to the authors. Lone star ticks are the most important tick species biting people in Georgia — and most of the southeastern United States, says Vazquez-Prokopec. “Our findings contribute to the understanding of a pathogen that is poorly known and that could become a public health problem as people spend more time outdoors either recreationally or occupationally.” Researchers found that one in every 2,000 ticks was infected with the Heartland virus. “While the number seems low, ticks reach high numbers in April and May, potentially leading to human exposure to Heartland,” he says. People should be aware of the potential threat the tick poses, but there’s no need for panic, says Vazquez-Prokopec. “When going outdoors, they may get exposed to ticks. It is very important that they remove them immediately and conduct tick checks to minimize the chance of getting exposed to pathogens,” he says.
The Heartland Virus Can Cause Hospitalization and Even Death
Heartland virus is an emerging virus native to the United States, says Vazquez-Prokopec. It was first discovered in 2009 in northwest Missouri after two local men were hospitalized with high fevers, diarrhea, muscle pains, low counts of white blood cells and platelets, and other symptoms similar to known tick-borne diseases, according to the CDC. Health officials realized the men were infected with a novel virus (a virus that has never been seen before); the virus was named Heartland, and was later traced to lone star ticks. Further studies found antibodies to the virus in blood samples from deer and some other wild mammals. So far, the virus has been found in people living in Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and New York; it’s unknown if the Heartland virus has spread to other parts of the country, according to the CDC. The virus has infected more than 50 people, says Vazquez-Prokopec, though researchers believe the actual disease burden is higher since Heartland virus is still not well known and tests are rarely ordered for it. “Given that most people found infected were hospitalized or had died, and that there is no formal testing for the virus on individuals with symptoms compatible with Heartland disease, the level of transmission to humans is unknown,” he says.
Lone Star Ticks Can Carry Other Diseases Besides the Heartland Virus
The CDC currently recognizes 18 tick-borne diseases in the United States. One of the best-known tick-borne illnesses is Lyme disease, which is transmitted to humans by the blacklegged tick (also called the deer tick). In addition to the Heartland virus, the lone star tick can spread other diseases to humans, including:
Ehrlichiosis, which causes fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches and is treated with antibioticsTularemia, a disease that has many forms, each with its own set of symptoms; the disease always causes a feverSouthern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), which causes a Lyme-like rash as well as fatigue, fever, headache, muscle, and joint pains
Tick Tips: How to Avoid Tick Bites
Enjoy nature! But while you do, be mindful that ticks may be active, and take the recommended precautions, says Vazquez-Prokopec. The CDC offers the following advice on avoiding tick bites and what to do if you find a tick on your clothes or body. Be aware. Your risk of ticks may be higher on a camping trip or hike through the woods, but many people get ticks in their own backyard. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and on pets, and so time spent gardening or socializing outside could increase your risk. Treat clothing with tick repellent. Products containing 0.5 percent permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear; the protection can last through several wash cycles. Use insect repellent. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a search tool to help you find the safest and most effective insect repellent that suits your needs. Check your clothes, gear, and pets for ticks after you come inside. If you find a tick on your clothing, remove it and dry your clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes. If your clothes need to be washed first, wash them in hot water to kill the ticks. Check your body. After you’ve been outdoors, do a fully body check including under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, backs of the knees, in and around your hair, between your legs, and around your waist. If you do find a tick on your body, don’t pull it off with your fingers. The CDC offers a step-by-step guide to safely remove a tick from your skin and dispose of it, and what to do if you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing the tick.
