Diseases Spread by Ticks in Missouri
Ticks can transmit a variety of serious diseases if they remain attached to the skin long enough, 24 hours or longer. There’s a wide range of tick-borne diseases, including:
- Tularemia
- Babesiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Lyme Disease
- Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Ticks can also lead to severe allergic reactions and even paralysis in some cases. Lyme disease is one of the most well-known tick-borne illnesses, but it’s actually not that common in Missouri. A bigger local concern is the lone star tick, which can cause a condition called Alpha-gal syndrome, a sensitivity that can make you allergic to red meat.
????️ Check our blog on ticks for more info on tick diseases as well as instructions on how to remove a tick.
▼ Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: A man in a blue t-shirt with a yellow “#Poison. Prevention” logo is in a room with blue LED lighting.
Sound: Upbeat, trumpet music begins.
Person 1: Let’s learn some weird tick stuff! Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These are all different types of diseases you can get from ticks. You know, those horrible eight-legged creatures that burrow into your skin and engorge themselves on your blood. Ticks need to be attached to you for 24 hours or longer to transmit their infectious agent, which, honestly sounds like the plot to a really disgusting spy movie. Ticks can also cause all sorts of other problems, like severe allergic reactions or paralysis. What? Lyme disease, one of the most well-known and dangerous diseases spread by ticks, is actually not all that common in Missouri. The Lone Star Tick can induce “alpha gal sensitivity” which apparently makes you allergic to red meat. Moo.
Sound: Cow moo.
Visual: A white screen with the Missouri Poison Center logo, “Open 24/7!” Text is written above the logo and below it, the phone number “1-800-222-1222” is in red text.
AVO: If you or someone you know has been bitten by a tick, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
Visual: The text on the screen changes to “There’s always an expert standing by that’s ready to consult on evaluation and management.” The Missouri Poison Center logo and phone number remain below.
AVO: They’ll tell you what to do next.
