Sameer Vohra, MD, JD, MA Director at Illinois Department of Public Health | Official website
Sameer Vohra, MD, JD, MA Director at Illinois Department of Public Health | Official website
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced the discovery of the first tick in Illinois testing positive for Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (EME), a bacteria that can lead to human ehrlichiosis. This illness, transmitted by blacklegged tick bites, can become severe if not promptly treated with antibiotics like doxycycline.
The blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick, was collected on May 17 by Lake County Health Department staff. The sample was tested and confirmed positive for EME by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to ehrlichiosis, ticks submitted to the CDC are tested for several other diseases such as Lyme disease and babesiosis.
Human cases of EME were first identified in Wisconsin in 2009. Previously, all known cases occurred in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In Illinois, ehrlichiosis has been primarily associated with Lone star ticks found in Southern Illinois. However, this new finding indicates that blacklegged ticks also pose a risk.
"The discovery of the first tick in Illinois carrying EME, a rare and serious disease, is a great reminder of the importance of our active tick surveillance program in Illinois," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. He advised individuals spending time outdoors to check for ticks regularly and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or muscle aches after potential exposure.
This announcement precedes the 2024 Illinois Tickborne Disease Conference scheduled for October 22 in Champaign. Hosted by IDPH along with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the Illinois Lyme Association, the conference aims to educate healthcare providers and researchers on tickborne diseases and their treatment.
To prevent tickborne illnesses, IDPH recommends avoiding high grass areas, wearing light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily, using EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or similar ingredients, treating outdoor clothing with permethrin, conducting regular body checks for ticks, drying clothes on high heat after outings, showering soon after being outdoors, and seeking medical advice if bitten by a blacklegged tick attached for more than two days.
For further information on tick species in Illinois and related health risks, IDPH provides an interactive Tick Surveillance Map online.
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