Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

Course overview

Tick populations are increasing in the United States and their geographic ranges are expanding, largely due to climate change. Since ticks are responsible for nearly 95% of annually reported vector-borne diseases, this increase represents a new and severe public health concern. In the U.S., ticks are responsible for transmitting a greater variety of viral, bacterial, and protozoan diseases than any other blood-feeding arthropod. In addition, in some people, tick bites can cause allergic reactions to red meat and possibly milk and other dairy products. This CE course presents information on eight of the most common tickborne illnesses.