What is ehrlichiosis?

Ehrlichiosis is an illness caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia. Human ehrlichiosis is a newly recognized disease in the United States. The first human case in the U.S. was reported in 1986. However, prior to 1986 the bacterium was known to infect and cause illness in a wide variety of wild and domestic animals.

Who gets ehrlichiosis?

Anyone can become infected with Ehrlichia, although most cases have occurred among adults. Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors in tick infested areas from April through October are at greatest risk of becoming infected.

How is ehrlichiosis spread?

Ehrlichiosis is spread by the bite of an infected tick. In New Jersey, the most commonly infected ticks are the deer tick, the dog tick, and the lone star tick. Ehrlichiosis is not spread from person-to-person.

What are the symptoms of ehrlichiosis?

The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches and weakness. Some patients can also experience nausea, vomiting and a skin rash. Although the illness is usually mild, severe to life-threatening illnesses can occur.

How soon do symptoms occur?

Symptoms generally occur between one to three weeks after a bite from an infected tick. Not all tick bites will result in an infection. It appears that Ehrlichia-infected ticks require 24 to 48 hours of attachment to the skin before humans can become infected.

How is ehrlichiosis diagnosed?

Special laboratory tests of the blood can detect infection with Ehrlichia bacteria.

What is the treatment for ehrlichiosis?

Treatment with an appropriate antibiotic is usually effective.

How long is an infected person infectious to others?

Ehrlichiosis cannot be transmitted from person-to-person. It is only transmitted by the bite of an infected tick.

How can ehrlichiosis be prevented?

There is no vaccine against ehrlichiosis. Prevention of ehrlichiosis relies on avoiding tick bites. When working or playing in tick infested areas, wear light-colored clothing that covers the arms and legs; tuck pant legs into socks; apply tick repellent (containing DEET or permethrin) according to the manufacturer's directions; and carefully perform "tick checks" on clothing and skin surfaces immediately after returning from the outdoors. Attached ticks should be removed by grasping the tick with a pair of tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Then apply firm, steady backward pressure until the tick is removed.

Surveillance Case Definition