First human case of emerging tick disease detected in CT

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reports the first locally acquired human disease case of Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis in Connecticut.

The invasive Gulf Coast Tick transmits the disease, which is considered similar to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Although cases of this disease have been reported in the southeastern part of the country, this is the first report of this disease in the Northeast.

"It is anticipated that warming temperatures related to climate change may lead to the continued range expansion and abundance of several tick species," says Dr. Goudarz Molaei at the CAES.

Symptoms of Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis include fever, rash, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and regional lymphadenopathy.