New tick disease found in Connecticut

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. (WTNH) — The first human case of a new tick disease in the northeast has been found in Connecticut. It comes from a tick that originated in the Gulf Coast.

“Migratory birds play important role in moving this tick and other ticks around,” said Goudarz Molaei, a research scientist and medical entomologist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven.

Molaei said the first human, a woman in northern Fairfield County, was infected with the disease late last year. The disease, Rickettsia Parkeri Rickettsiosis, is carried by the Gulf Coast tick.

Molaei has pictures of the bite wound on the back of the woman’s neck, and spots found on the her leg.

The symptoms are similar to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which presents with generalized spots all over the body. But, the Gulf Coast disease is more mild.

The deadly Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is carried by the American Dog tick. That tick is similar in size to the Gulf Coast tick. Both are larger than the tiny deer tick, but the Gulf Coast tick has more markings on its back.

The similar size has caused some confusion, so researchers said you really need to know what tick you’re dealing with to know how to treat the patient correctly.

Molaei said there are 15 tick species now in Connecticut. Ten are invasive and five are of concern. With warmer winters they can pose a threat year-round.

“Do not hesitate to send your ticks over here,” Molaei said. “The least we could do is identify the species.”

Like many tick diseases, Molaei said patients who contract Rickettsia Parkeri Rickettsiosis get a fever, rash, fatigue and joint pain. But, some are more uncomfortable, like gastrointestinal symptoms and cramping.

The disease also leaves a long-lasting scab at the bite site.

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