“Deer tick” species was discovered in Montana for first time last year
EBS STAFF
The blacklegged tick, otherwise referred to as deer tick, has been identified in Dawson and Sheridan counties in Montana. The species is new to Montana, identified in the state for the first time last year through active surveillance conducted by researchers and public health officials.
According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, the presence of blacklegged ticks in Montana may increase the risk of exposure to new tickborne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus, hard tick relapsing fever and babesiosis. Already very common in other northwestern states, the species has steadily expanded their range in recent years.
“Not all types of ticks carry all tickborne illnesses,” stated Devon Cozart, DPHHS vectorborne disease epidemiologist in a May 21 DPHHS press release. “The presence of this new type of tick in the state could mean that Montanans have an increased risk of exposure to diseases that weren’t previously a threat in Montana.”
DPHHS is requesting the public’s help in tick surveillance, especially in Dawson and Sheridan counties—anyone who thinks they have found a blacklegged tick is encouraged to fill out an online form to report their findings, helping to track further spread across the state.
“Preventing tick bites is important while spending time outdoors, especially when walking through brushy or wooded areas,” Cozart stated. “Though tick activity slows during winter months, ticks can be active any time temperatures are above freezing. Any outdoor activity in any season that disturbs leaf brush, such as yardwork or hiking, or contact with other animals, such as hunting, increases the risk of encountering a tick.”
To prevent tick bites, DPHHS recommends wearing insect repellent or treating clothing and gear with repellant products, checking for ticks often and carrying a tick removal device such as tweezers, showering soon after being outdoors, putting clothing in the dryer for 10 minutes after being outdoors to kill ticks and checking pets regularly for ticks.
