Ehrlichiosis - NYC Health

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Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease carried by ticks.

Ehrlichiosis in New York City

In NYC, ehrlichiosis is usually transmitted by the lone star tick. Lone star ticks may become infected when feeding on mice, deer or elk.

Lone star ticks can be found on Staten Island and in certain parts of the Bronx. The tick must be attached at least 12-24 hours to transmit the bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis. Not all ticks carry these bacteria. Most patients become infected during the spring and summer, when smaller nymphal ticks are most common. Ehrlichiosis cannot be spread from person-to-person.

The number of cases reported in NYC has ranged from 1 to 20 per year. For more information on the number of NYC residents reported to have ehrlichiosis, visit Epi Query.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and sometimes upset stomach.

Prevention

You can prevent ehrlichiosis by avoiding tick bites.

For more information on ticks and preventing tick bites, including the use of repellents and removing ticks, visit Ticks and Tick Prevention.

Treatment

Doctors treat ehrlichiosis with antibiotics like doxycycline.

Information for Providers

For clinical, diagnostic and treatment information, see Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases: Information for Providers.

Tick-borne Disease Diagnostic Reference: Poster for Providers (PDF)

Additional Resources

CDC: Ehrlichiosis

Tick-borne Diseases in NYC, 2021 and 2022 (PDF)

Tick-borne Diseases in NYC, 2020 (PDF)

Tick-borne Diseases in NYC, 2018 (PDF)

Print copies of the below materials may be requested by calling 311.

New York City Tick ID and Removal Wallet Card (PDF)

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All About Ticks: A Workbook for Kids and Their Parents (PDF)
Other Languages: Español

Tick-borne Disease Diagnostic Reference: Poster for Providers (PDF)

Ticks taking over? Take back your yard (PDF)

Other Languages: Español

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Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases: Information for Providers