Lone star ticks are confirmed vectors for a wide variety of tick-borne pathogens including those that cause ehrlichiosis and tularensis in humans and dogs. They also may carry emerging viruses such as Heartland, Bourbon, Tacaribe, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, southern tick-associated rash illness, and alpha-gal syndrome, a condition marked by allergic reactions to eating meat. …Their distribution in North America is expanding due to changing climatic factors and land use patterns. Lone star ticks are the most commonly encountered tick in Delaware, especially in Sussex and Kent Counties. It is vital for healthcare professionals and health educators to devote more attention to this emerging threat.
- Delaware Journal of Public Health Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum): An Emerging Threat in Delaware Jan 21, 2021