Understanding Tickborne Diseases

Understanding Tickborne Diseases

Tickborne diseases are becoming a serious problem in this country as people increasingly build homes in formerly uninhabited wilderness areas where ticks and their animal hosts live. Tickborne diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Most people become infected through tick bites during the spring and summer months.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial disease transmitted by the dog tick, was first identified in 1896. It still exists, although now it can be easily treated. Since then, researchers have identified many new tickborne diseases.

Tickborne diseases can be found throughout the United States. For example, Lyme disease, first discovered in Connecticut in the early 1970s, has since spread to every state except Hawaii.

One of the newest tickborne diseases to be identified in the United States is called Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). This disease has a bull’s-eye rash similar to that found in Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria transmitted by the deer tick. Although researchers know that the lone star tick transmits the infectious agent that causes STARI, they do not yet know what microbe (germ) causes it.

Ticks transmit ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, both bacterial diseases. Babesiosis is caused by parasites carried by deer ticks. These diseases are found in several states.

Tularemia, a less common tickborne bacterial disease, can be transmitted by ticks as well as other vectors (carriers) such as the deerfly. Public health experts are concerned that the bacterium that causes tularemia (Francisella tularensis) could be used as a weapon of bioterrorism.

Tickborne disease can usually be prevented by avoiding places where ticks often live, such as dense woods and brushy areas. Using insect repellents containing DEET (for the skin) or permethrin (for clothes), wearing long pants and socks, performing tick checks, and promptly removing ticks also will help prevent infection from tickborne microbes.

Scientists are searching for better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent tickborne diseases. They are also looking for ways to control the tick populations that transmit microbes.

To learn more, go to: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/tickborne/Pages/Default.aspx

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Meet Our Team

  • Dr. Alan  Pomerantz Photo
    Dr. Alan Pomerantz
    Born and raised in NJ, I attended Rutgers University for my Bachelors degree. I attended Cornell University and received both a Masters of Science degree and my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees in 1985. I have had a varied career working with shelters, zoos and farms. Earlier in my career, I owned a veterinary hospital in Kingston, NY, where I cared for all kinds of animals. I raised a modest flock of sheep and goats for 10 years. For the last 20 years, my primary interest has been dogs and ...
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    Dr. Jack Mastrascusa
    I have been with Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital since May 2007. After working as a technician in the dental and surgical field and later achieving my veterinary license, I decided to stay and practice here as this is a great place to work and learn. I live with my wife Silvina and son Leonardo along with a Red footed tortoise named Fred and a Black and white Tegu lizard named Loki. I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Montevideo, Uruguay when I was 13 and lived there for 11 years. It was in ...
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    Dr. Kristin Onesios
    I joined the Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital in May of 2010 after working in Hoboken for three years. I had always hoped to return to FLAH after spending multiple summers and college breaks working here as a receptionist and veterinary assistant. I grew up a few towns over in Allendale. For undergraduate studies, I went to Cook College at Rutgers University where I received a degree in animal science. I pursued my veterinary degree at Tufts University. While there, I developed more insight into ...
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    Dr. Sharon Greenhut
    I am a proud member of the Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital team. I strive to be a loyal and compassionate doctor who always advocates for the thorough and fair treatment of those in need. I very much enjoy forming relationships with my patients and their owners, and I truly understand the human-animal bond. I am particularly well versed in the care of dogs and cats and enjoy meeting new clients and patients. I was born and raised in New York and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where I ...
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    Dr. Veronica Hudson
    I knew from a very early age that I wanted to become a veterinarian, but it wasn’t until I caught early heart failure in one of my cats (due to subtle breathing changes) as a teenager that I truly knew it was my calling. With this goal in mind, I pursued my undergraduate studies at Montclair State University where I received bachelor’s degrees in both Biology and Psychology. Shortly thereafter, I was accepted to the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and the ...
  • Dr. Viktoriya  Zilberman Photo
    Dr. Viktoriya Zilberman
    I have been a proud member of the FLAH family since 2012. I can trace my love of animals back to my childhood, where Mickey, our family’s white terrier-mix, inspired my devotion. As a 5-year-old, I may have loved him a little too much back then. I don’t know how much he appreciated me painting his nails, giving him haircuts, and cuddling him like he was my favorite stuffed animal – but he was my best friend. Growing up in Bergen County, I donated my time volunteering at RBARI animal shelter ...
  • Dr. Wendy  Kozak Photo
    Dr. Wendy Kozak
    I have been at Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital since March of 2003. I originally grew up in Wrentham, Massachusetts. I graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 1997. Since then, I have practiced in Florida, Massachusetts, and currently in New Jersey. I moved to New Jersey after getting married to my husband, Dan, in October of 2002. I have two beautiful girls named Kasey and Madison. We share our home with one Boston Terrier named Jackson and one cat named ...
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    Dr. Anna Ward
    Born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, I continued on to receive my bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 2009. Prior to attending veterinary school, I worked as a certified veterinary technician in NJ for 6 years. It was these years spent working in the hospital that solidified my dream of one day becoming a veterinarian. I then went on to graduate with my degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. My clinical interests include ...
  • Dr. Elena  Rizzo Photo
    Dr. Elena Rizzo
    Growing up in Wyckoff, NJ, I remember bringing my pets to the doctors at Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital. They always took care of my animals like one of their own; we shared many laughs and tears, and they served as role models for the type of veterinarian I wanted to emulate as I grew older. I started at Rutgers University, where I received my bachelor of science in animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine and research and a minor in equine science. Then, I attended ...
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