Black-legged ticks (ixodes scapularis), also known as deer ticks, are responsible for most of the tick borne illnesses on Long Island. They’re best known as the primary vector for Lyme disease but they also cause babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, bourbon virus disease, Powassan disease, borrelia diseases, and an emerging public health threat called anaplasmosis.

Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection that attacks the white blood cells, causing flu-like symptoms that can escalate into severe health complications or result in death. Also referred to as human granulocytic anaplasmosis, the disease was first identified in 1994. The number of cases rises each year and New York State is second only to Minnesota in the number of reported anaplasmosis cases.

The disease is now second only to Lyme disease in the percentage of state-tracked tick-borne disease cases it represents.

What Are the Signs of Anaplasmosis?

Anaplasmosis symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, joint pain, and muscle aches. These flu-like symptoms typically occur 7-14 days after a tick bite. If you have been bitten by a tick and experience these symptoms outside of flu season, it’s wise to suspect a tick-borne illness and to consult your physician immediately.

Anaplasmosis doesn’t have unique symptoms like Lyme disease’s distinctive bullseye rash, so making a diagnosis may be more challenging. An anaplasmosis diagnosis can be confirmed through clinical observation and blood testing.

What Is Worse Lyme Disease or Anaplasmosis?

While Lyme disease may be well known for its debilitating long-range complications… in the short term, anaplasmosis results in more hospitalizations than Lyme disease. Twenty-five percent of anaplasmosis cases involve hospitalization, where only five percent of Lyme cases do. Anaplasmosis can be quite severe, possibly even fatal.

Is Anaplasmosis Curable?

Fortunately, anaplasmosis is highly treatable and outcomes are typically good. Treatment consists of doxycycline or other tetracycline drug therapy.

Most people who contract anaplasmosis recover completely with no long-term health effects. But elderly and immune-compromised individuals may experience severe symptoms or complications. Anaplasmosis is fatal in less than one percent of cases, but fatalities can occur even in previously healthy individuals.

What Happens If Anaplasmosis Is Untreated?

While some cases of anaplasmosis may resolve on their own without treatment, this is a potentially serious illness. If you suspect you have been exposed to anaplasmosis or any other tick-borne illness, consult your physician immediately – especially if you are older or have a weakened immune system.

Left untreated, anaplasmosis can cause difficulty breathing, secondary infections, hemorrhage, kidney damage, and neurological issues. Anaplasmosis’ long-term effects may include respiratory failure, renal failure, nerve damage, or death.

Can My Dog Get Anaplasmosis?

Anaplasmosis also impacts domestic animals – particularly dogs.

Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, pain, or a bloody nose. As with anaplasmosis in humans, canines are treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, it can cause bleeding, respiratory and organ failure, and death. So, contact your veterinarian at the first sign of these symptoms… particularly after a tick encounter.

Prevent Tick Borne Illnesses with East End Tick and Mosquito Control®

Tick-borne diseases are preventable. When you are in an area where ticks might be present, use tick repellent and wear clothing that protects your skin from tick bites. Always check for ticks when you come indoors and promptly remove any ticks you find. Keep your property tick-free by creating a perimeter with regular pest control treatments.

East End Tick and Mosquito Control® has protected Long Island homes and businesses from tick threats for more than 20 years. Contact us online for a free quote or call us at (631) 287-9700 in the Southampton area; (631) 324-9700 in East Hampton, or (631) 765-9700 in Southold.