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When you spot a tick, you likely think of Lyme disease, but a new, lesser known virus has been spreading. In fact, the CDC recognizes 18 tick-borne diseases.
According to a new study from the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases published April 2022, a tick carrying the Heartland virus has been found circulating in at least six states, including Georgia. Spread through tick bites, the Heartland virus has flu-like symptoms and can result in hospitalization or death.
Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec, PhD, the expert in vector-borne diseases at Emory University, states, « Heartland is an emerging infectious disease that is not well understood. » He adds, « 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. »
So far, 1 out of 2,000 specimens analyzed is seen to be infected with the Heartland virus. Researchers are quickly analyzing ticks and performing more studies to better understand this disease before the issue gets worse.
What is the lone star tick?
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