What You Need To Know
NJ is among the leading US states for tickborne disease incidence, with over 7,000 cases of Lyme disease reported in 2023. Although Lyme disease is responsible for the majority of tickborne diseases, several others impact NJ residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Heartland and Bourbon viruses have been detected in ticks in NJ, but human cases have not yet been identified. Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious, potentially life- threatening allergic condition that can occur after a tick bite and is also reported in NJ, mostly in the central and southern regions.
Diagnosis and management of tickborne diseases can be challenging, but early recognition and treatment can be crucial. Continuing education is an important way for healthcare providers to stay up to date on the identification and management of tickborne diseases.
CDC offers free continuing medical education activities to assist with evaluation, diagnosis, and clinical management for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, viral tickborne diseases in the United States, and alpha-gal syndrome.
Action Items:
- Maintain awareness of tickborne diseases impacting NJ residents year-round, particularly between spring and fall. Consider completing tickborne disease continuing education activities.
- Review the NJ Vector-borne Disease dashboard to monitor the burden of tickborne diseases in NJ residents, as well as what pathogens ticks have tested positive for in NJ.
- While commercial testing is available for most tickborne diseases, specimens for viral testing (e.g., Powassan, Heartland) should be submitted to NJDOH by sending a completed Arboviral Testing Request worksheet via encrypted email to CDSVectorTeam@doh.nj.gov.
Contact Information:
References and Resources: