Borrelia miyamotoi Disease What is Borrelia miyamotoi every year. Blacklegged ticks are small; disease? adults are about the size of a sesame seed Borrelia miyamotoi disease is one of many and nymphs (young ticks) are about the size tickborne diseases in Minnesota. The of a poppy seed. Due to their small size, a disease agent is closely related to the person may not know they have been bitten bacteria that cause tickborne relapsing by a tick. fever and distantly related to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. It was first What are the symptoms of identified as a cause of human illness in Borrelia miyamotoi disease? 2011 with the first case reported in a Minnesota resident in 2016. Since then, low The spectrum of illness is still being numbers of cases have been reported in described for this new disease. However, Minnesota each year. the most common symptoms reported to date include: How do people get Borrelia ▪ Fever or chills ▪ Headache miyamotoi disease? ▪ Muscle aches People can get B. miyamotoi disease most ▪ Tiredness or weakness likely through the bite of a blacklegged tick (deer tick) that is infected with the bacteria. Similar to tickborne relapsing fever, some Not all blacklegged ticks carry these patients with illness due to B. miyamotoi bacteria and not all people bitten by a have described recurring symptoms prior to blacklegged tick will get sick. A tick needs to diagnosis and treatment. Severe illness be attached to a person for a certain length affecting the nervous system, such as of time before it can cause disease. While meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the the minimum time interval is not known for brain and membranes surrounding the B. miyamotoi, the disease agent can be brain), have also been reported. transmitted within the first 24 hours of tick attachment. How is Borrelia miyamotoi Blacklegged ticks live on the ground in areas disease diagnosed? that are wooded or have lots of brush. The ticks search for hosts at or near ground If a person suspects B. miyamotoi disease, level and grab onto a person or animal as they should contact a doctor as soon as they walk by. Ticks do not jump, fly, or fall possible for diagnosis and treatment. The from trees. diagnosis is based on a history of exposure to tick habitat, a physical examination, and In Minnesota, the months of April through laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. July and September through October are the greatest risk for being bitten by a blacklegged tick. Risk peaks in June or July BORRELIA MIYAMOTOI DISEASE How is Borrelia miyamotoi ▪ Tumble dry clothing and gear on high disease treated? heat for at least 60 minutes after spending time in areas where ticks live. Borrelia miyamotoi disease is treated with ▪ Talk with your veterinarian about safe antibiotics. It is likely possible to get this and effective products you can use to tickborne disease more than once so protect your pet. continue to protect yourself from tick bites and contact your doctor if you suspect you Check for ticks at least once a day after may have symptoms of B. miyamotoi spending time in areas where ticks live: disease. ▪ Inspect your entire body closely with a mirror, especially hard-to-see areas How can I reduce my risk? such as the groin and armpits. ▪ Remove ticks as soon as you find one. There is currently no human vaccine ▪ Use tweezers or your fingers to grasp available for B. miyamotoi disease. the tick close to its mouth. Pull the tick Reducing exposure to ticks is the best outward slowly and gently. Clean the defense against tickborne diseases. area with soap and water. Protect yourself from tick bites: ▪ Examine your gear and pets for ticks. ▪ Know where ticks live and when they are active. Manage areas where ticks live: ▪ Blacklegged ticks live in wooded or ▪ Mow lawns and trails frequently. brushy areas. ▪ Remove leaves and brush. ▪ In Minnesota, blacklegged tick ▪ Create a barrier of wood chips or rocks activity is greatest from April – July between mowed lawns and woods. and September – October. ▪ Use a safe and effective tick repellent if you spend time in or near areas where Minnesota Department of Health ticks live. Follow the product label and Vectorborne Diseases Unit PO Box 64975 reapply as directed. St. Paul, MN 55164 ▪ Use DEET-based repellents (up to 651-201-5414 30%) on skin or clothing. Do not www.health.state.mn.us use DEET on infants under two months of age. ▪ Pre-treat clothing and gear with 2/28/2018 permethrin-based repellents to To obtain this information in a different format, call: protect against tick bites for at 651-201-5414. Printed on recycled paper. least two weeks without reapplication. Do not apply permethrin to your skin. ▪ Wear light-colored clothing to help you spot ticks more easily. Wear long- sleeved shirts and pants to cover exposed skin. 2 .