PACIFIC COAST TICK
Dermacentor occidentalis
The hard tick (Ixodidae) identified below pose health risks for both humans and animals in the Pacific Southwest. Hard ticks are recognized by their mouth parts that project forward from the body and for having a hard outer shell, also known as scutum.
Pacific coast ticks can carry and spread pathogens that are responsible for diseases in both humans and animals.
- Rickettsia rickettsii (pathogen) – Rocky Mountain spotted fever (disease)
- Francisella tularensis (pathogen) – Tularemia (disease)
- Rickettsia philipii or Rickettsia species 364D (pathogen) – Pacific Coast tick fever (disease)
- Colorado tick fever (CTF) virus – Colorado tick fever (disease)
Pacific Coast ticks can be found predominantly in shrublands, chaparral, and along trails from Oregon to northern Baja California and Mexico. Visit Tick Encounter for more information.
TICK RESOURCES
Learn about the tick species that pose health risks for both humans and animals in the region and view public health information on ticks.
GOT TICKS? CONTACT BiTeRS!
The Border Tick and Rickettsia Surveillance (BiTeRS) program of PacVec offers services to enhance surveillance for ticks and tick-borne pathogens of human health concern in California and Arizona.
The Pacific Southwest Regional Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases is supported through Cooperative Agreement Number 1U01CK000649 between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of California, Davis.
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