I am Walter a tick from Wallburg, NC and I carry the RICKETTSIAE microorganism
The Environmental Protection Agency is not happy with me!
The residents of Wallburg, NC have notified the EPA to report cases of hunters that are very sick with similar symptoms.
EPA
Two weeks after the start of Deer Hunting Season and with so many hunters sick, the EPA decided to interview the hunters and provide testing.
Well it looks like I have caused some trouble! The RICKETTSIAE has caused multiple systemic infections
Hi Doc, recently I have had hives, itchy skin, swollen face and shortness of breath. I also have a bad reaction to red meat.
Well Chris, it looks like you have a systemic infection from direct contact with a tick.
How could 1 bite from me cause so much sickness?
With collaboration with the EPA we have determined you were bit by a Lone Star Tick. These ticks live in the woods and feed on the deer.
We did see a lot of ticks this season, and it has been a very unusually hot season.
The hot summer has been good for us to repopulate and spread the RICKETTSIAE organism.
The tick hosts on the deer and the RICKETTSIAE organism (bacteria) grow and are transmitted by the ticks
The Lone Star Tick causes a Exogenous Infection - an infection that enters the body from the environment
You have Rickettsial disease which can be life threatening, but since this was caught early the symptoms should be limited and mild. Antibiotics should do the trick.
Great! I will follow the instructions, but I will be ready to hunt next season!