Tick-borne Diseases
Tick-borne diseases are transmitted to a person from the bite of an infected tick. Some common ticks in Alabama are the Blacklegged (Deer), American Dog (Wood), and Lone Star. Ticks typically dwell in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. Although they are more active in the early spring and late fall months, tick-borne illnesses have been reported year-round in Alabama. It is vital to remain vigilant by conducting tick checks whenever you return from the outdoors. For more information, look below on how to prevent and remove ticks.
For more information on tick-borne disease case counts, see our Data page.
Lyme Disease Awareness Month: "Bite Back Against Lyme"
May is recognized as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about Lyme disease, a serious bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It occurs most commonly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks.
With the warmer weather, more people are spending time outdoors, increasing the risk of encountering disease-carrying ticks. Some prevention methods to avoid tick bites include:
- Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas or on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you into close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yards or neighborhoods.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
- Avoid contact with ticks. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
One tick bite is all it takes to change a life. For more information, visit CDC About Lyme Disease.
Diseases
Ticks can transmit different diseases, but the most common under surveillance in Alabama include:
There are other rare tick-borne diseases of public health concern reported in Alabama that include:
- Tularemia
- Babesiosis
- Powassan Virus
- Alpha-gal syndrome
- Typhus fevers
Symptoms
Early symptoms of tick-borne diseases can be variable, but often include fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and/or rash. Sometimes, tick-borne diseases may become severe or even life-threatening if not treated. For example, untreated spotted fever rickettsiosis may lead to encephalitis, shock, seizures, gangrene, and/or acute respiratory or renal failure within a week of becoming sick. Untreated Lyme disease may cause arthritis as well as various neurologic and cardiac problems days to months after first becoming ill.
Treatment
If you think you may have a tick-borne disease, see your doctor immediately. He or she will evaluate your symptoms, exposure history, and test results to determine your best treatment course. Most tick-borne diseases are easily treated with antibiotics; early treatment can help you avoid serious complications.
Prevention
You can lower your risk of getting a tick-borne disease while outdoors by:
- Avoiding wooded and brushy areas where ticks tend to live:
- Walking in the center of trails
- Using repellent that contains at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin
- Treating clothes with 0.5% permethrin
- Finding and removing ticks from your body and clothing within 2 hours of coming indoors
To safely remove a tick attached to your skin:
- Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
- Pull upward on the tick with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick.
- Dispose of a live tick by submerging it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed container, or flushing it down the toilet.
- Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or an iodine scrub after removing the tick.
The CDC has developed the Tick Bite Bot, which is an interactive tool to assist individuals in removing attached ticks and determining when to seek healthcare after a tick bite, if appropriate. The online mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions covering topics such as tick attachment time and symptoms. Based on the user’s responses, the tool then provides information about recommended actions and resources. Find more information at CDC Tick Bite Bot.
General Resources
Page last updated: May 9, 2025
