Actually, any of these ticks could make you sick if they are carrying an illness that can be transmitted to humans. Ticks are on the rise in Michigan,[i] but there are some important things to know:
#1. Certain tick species carry certain types of diseases.
“Blacklegged tick (or deer tick, lxodes scapularis) in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States, and the western blacklegged tick (l. pacificus) in the Pacific Coast states” serve as a vectors for Lyme disease. Although there are other common ticks Michigan, Borrelia burgdorferi, the usual bacteria that causes Lyme disease, is found in blacklegged ticks. [ii]
For patients in Michigan, although there are rare cases of other tick-borne diseases, many are not as common in Michigan. The blacklegged deer tick is much more of a problem for Michiganders because this is the tick species that carries Lyme disease. And although there are other tickborne illnesses to be concerned about, prevention of tick bites is the key.
Key Morphological Differences in Common Michigan Hard Ticks [ix].
#2. Transmission of disease does not happen simply because the tick bites.
Although finding an attached tick is distressing to many people, being bitten by a tick does not mean that you will get sick. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), usually, unless the tick is attached for 36-48 hours, enough time for it to take a blood meal, disease transmission does not occur.[iii] This is why checking yourself carefully for ticks after being outside is a key prevention strategy; removing a tick within the first 24 hours usually prevents transmission.
#3. Ticks that carry Lyme disease can transmit the illness to a host at different stages in their life.
From April through July, larva and nymphs are common. They are also tiny, like the size of a poppy seed. Because they are so small, nymphs are hard to see and easy to miss. Nymphs have to take a blood meal to be able to mature to the next stage, so they are also hungry.[iv] Adult females can also transmit disease. Ticks carrying Lyme disease are active from the springtime and through the fall in Michigan. [v]
#4. What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Symptoms of early Lyme disease generally occur for 3-30 days after exposure and include fever, body aches, fatigue and headache. Many people will develop one or more of the “bulls-eye rash,” known as erythema migrans. [vi]
2007
James Gathany
This 2007 photograph depicts the pathognomonic erythematous rash in the pattern of a “bull’s-eye”, which manifested at the site of a tick bite on this Maryland woman’s posterior right upper arm, who’d subsequently contracted Lyme disease.
#5. There is a steady increase in Lyme disease cases in Michigan.
This map illustrates the estimated 2023 Michigan Lyme disease risk:
2023 Michigan Lyme Disease Risk Map
#6. How can I protect myself and my family?
Avoid the bite: Tick repellent sprays and long, light-colored protective clothing can help keep ticks off the skin. When returning from a trip outside, carefully check scan for ticks. Prevention is key. See the card below for more information about how to prevent ticks.
Key Body Areas for Tick Checks | What You Need to Know About Michigan’s Ticks [ix]
Where to Check your Pets | What You Need to Know About Michigan’s Ticks [ix]
Early removal: If you do get bit and the tick is attached, do not panic. Early removal is important for prevention of disease. Remember, if an attached tick is removed in the first 24 hours, Lyme disease transmission is unlikely. Check the images below for tick removal tips.
Get the Michigan Tick ID Card
Watch for signs and symptoms: Although not everyone who develops Lyme disease has a bull’s-eye target type rash, this is something to take seriously, even if you do not think you have been bitten by a tick. Lyme disease is easy to treat, especially if caught early.
#7. Take a Tick Pic: Tick identification services available:
Michigan residents can have a tick identified via photo by emailing the photo to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov. If you’d like to mail a tick, more information is here.[viii]
https://www.miigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/emergingdiseases/Folder1/Tick_testing_flow_chart.pdf?rev=5e8caaf738804f31b42f7b8116eadeee&hash=0A3ADDD4E73780AD8D4C769040E7F78B
#8. Learn to recognize common Michigan ticks:
Michigan’s 5 Most Common Ticks
Want a deeper dive on tick-borne illnesses in Michigan?
MICHIGAN TRENDS IN TICKBORNE DISEASE 2016-2020 Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Disease Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Tick-Borne Illnesses in Michigan Kevin Gregg, MD Associate Professor of Medicine University of Michigan Division of Infectious Diseases June 22, 2018
What You Need to Know About Michigan’s Ticks Paige S. Alexander, Jean I. Tsao, and Deborah G. McCullough Michigan State University Extension
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Works Cited:
[i] “Ticks on Rise in Michigan, so Researchers Get Crafty to Map the Tiny Terrors.” Bridge Michigan. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/ticks-rise-michigan-so-researchers-get-crafty-map-tiny-terrors.
[ii] “Transmission.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/index.html.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] “How Ticks Spread Disease.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 21, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/life_cycle_and_hosts.html.
[v] Michigan trends in Tickborne disease, 2016-2020 – state of Michigan. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/emergingdiseases/Folder3/2021_Tickborne_Disease_Summary_Report.pdf?rev=a77a79a5ca16467ebeef4a41c9272e55.
[vi] “Lyme Disease.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 5, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/lyme.html.
[vii] Michigan trends in Tickborne disease, 2016-2020 – state of Michigan. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/emergingdiseases/Folder3/2021_Tickborne_Disease_Summary_Report.pdf?rev=a77a79a5ca16467ebeef4a41c9272e55.
[viii] Clarke, Kayla. “Everything You Need to Know about Ticks in Michigan.” WDIV, April 17, 2023. https://www.clickondetroit.com/health/2023/04/17/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ticks-in-michigan/.
[ix] What you need to know about Michigan’s ticks – college of agriculture … Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/uploads/files/MSUETickFactsheetMay2023.pdf.
Posted June 26, 2023
