Human (Granulocytic) Anaplasmosis (HGA ... - Allina Health

Your Pets
A study from Austria showed no increased seroprevalence for Anaplasma phagocytophilum in
cat or dog owners compared to non-pet owners, suggesting that pets are not a likely source
of infection. In Europe and possibly in Washington state, transmission of Babesia divergens
by Ixodes ricinus to humans has been reported.
More About Ixodes scapularis (Deer Tick, Blacklegged Tick):
Reservoir hosts for HGA in the United States of America are the white-footed mouse
(transient bacteremia of 1-4 weeks), other small mammals, and the white-tailed deer
(persistent subclinical infection vs merely supplying the food source). Humans are infected
with tick-borne diseases when they come into contact with the tick vector in reservoir animal
habitats. Peak tick activity is April through September.
High risk counties in Minnesota include the eastern two-thirds of the state, in the
approximate mid-portion, in a swath oriented from northwest to southeast extending to the
St. Croix River region.
The ticks are found in wooded and brushy areas but may reside in your own back yard,
especially if you live adjacent to woods or have abundant brush or leaf litter in your yard.
Ixodes scapularis life cycle
Engorged Ixodes scapularis tick
Adult ticks are approximately 1/8 inch long. Nymphs are slightly less than 1/16 inch long.
Typically the tick must be attached for at least 12-24 hours in order to transmit the bacteria
(although this may be shorter for HGA). Not all ticks carry the culprit organisms. Additional
photographs of the deer tick are available on CDC and MDH web sites.
For information on preventing tick-borne disease and how to remove ticks, visit the MDH web
site
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