Anaplasmosisdeer tick

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Photo credit: US CDC

About Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This bacterium infects white blood cells (neutrophils) in the immune system.

Anaplasmosis is transmitted to a person through the bite of an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Anaplasmosis cases appear to be increasing in Maine as the deer tick spreads throughout the state.

Anaplasmosis is treatable with antibiotics. The best way to prevent anaplasmosis is by avoiding tick bites.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of anaplasmosis begin 1-2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Fever and chills

    Fever and chills

  • Headache

    Headache

  • Muscle pain

    Muscle pain

  • Nausea and abdominal pain

    Nausea and abdominal pain

More severe signs and symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty breathing

    Difficulty breathing

  • Kidney failure

    Kidney failure

  • Neurologic problems

    Neurologic problems

See a healthcare provider if you become ill after being bitten by a tick or spending time in areas where ticks commonly live. Be sure to mention a recent tick bite or time spent in tick habitat to your healthcare provider.

Prevention

Prevent Tick Bites

The best way to prevent anaplasmosis is to prevent tick bites in the first place. Take these simple steps every day to prevent tick bites:

  • long pants

    Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and pants. Tuck your pants into your socks.

  • bug spray

    Use an EPA-approved bug spray.

  • trail

    Stay in the middle of trails.

  • tick check

    Do daily tick checks and check your pets for ticks.

Protect Your Yard From Ticks

You can make your yard a tick-safe zone:

  1. Keep the lawn mowed.
  2. Keep leaves raked and get rid of leaf piles.
  3. Move wood piles away from the house. Mice like to live here and can bring ticks with them.
  4. Move birdfeeders away from the house, gardens, and yard toys. Deer and mice like birdfeeders and can bring ticks into the yard.
  5. Use crushed stone or woodchips to make a tick-safe barrier around your yard. This should be 3-feet wide to separate the yard from the woods and keep ticks from crossing into the yard.
tick property maintenance

Resources for Educators

Maine CDC developed vectorborne school curricula for 3rd-8th grade classrooms. The curriculum is aligned with Maine Learning Results. School nurses, teachers, and other youth leaders are encouraged to use this resource in their classrooms.

Reports and Publications

Anaplasmosis Surveillance Reports

Maine CDC publishes yearly data on anaplasmosis cases and rates in Maine in surveillance reports.

Tickborne Disease Data on the Maine Tracking Network

The Maine Tracking Network uses data from case reports, surveys, and tick submissions to help understand the spread of tickborne diseases in Maine. The dashboard includes real-time data, maps, charts, and graphs for anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Lyme disease.

Social Media Toolkit

Image or Video Suggested Social Media Text
Suggested Text: May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month! We urge everyone to prevent tick bites. Don't let a little tick cause a big problem! Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: Identifying a tick by size is not always a good way to know the type of tick. Ticks can be different sizes based on how long they have been feeding. Focus on the color and pattern on the back shield to identify your tick. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: Deer ticks come in more than one size. Deer tick nymphs, or teenage ticks, are only the size of a poppy seed. Make sure you look closely when you do your tick check! Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: The bull's-eye rash is the most common symptom of Lyme disease. It is a rash that slowly expands in size. It can appear anywhere on the body, not just at the site of a tick bite. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: The Lyme disease bull's-eye rash may look slightly different depending on where it is on the body. Look for a rash that expands slowly in size. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: Can you tell the difference between a deer tick and an American dog tick? Use the color and decoration on the shield on the back and body color to deterine which tick you are dealing with. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: As you explore and enjoy Maine, make sure to be tick free! Use caution in tick habitat, wear protective clothing, use EPA-approved repellents, and do tick check every day. Learn more this Lyme Disease Awareness Month at www.maine.gov/lyme/month.

Video Link


Suggested Text: In Maine, ticks can be active all year long, but are most active between early spring and late fall. Watch this video to learn simple steps to help you prevent tick bites.

Video Link


Suggested Text: Do you check for ticks daily? It is important to do a daily tick check to help prevent tickborne diseases. Watch this video to learn how to do your best tick check. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

Video Link


Suggested Text: It takes time for most tickborne germs to spread to you during a bite. This is why it is important to remove ticks as soon as possible. Avoid using folk remedies like petroleum jelly, matches, or nail polish to remove a tick. Watch this video to learn more.

Video Link


Suggested Text: Adults 65 years and older are at highest risk for tickborne diseases in Maine. This includes Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Make sure to use tick prevention, as all these diseases are on the rise. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

Resources

Icons from www.flaticon.com Updated October 2024