A wood tick is also known as a Rocky Mountain wood tick. Its scientific name is Dermacentor andersoni, and it is found in the Rocky Mountain States and the southwestern part of Canada. In the Unites States, wood ticks cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, and tularemia, while in Canada they cause tick paralysis. Wood ticks are either brown or grey in color. Although they resemble the American dog tick and the Gulf Coast tick, wood ticks are stronger and have a thicker body than either of the two species. Wood ticks are found in grass and shrubs; it is from these areas that they attach themselves to a host. Their lifecycle is completed within one to three years. In their larval and nymph stages, these ticks feed on rodents, while in their adult stage, they target cattle, deer, dogs, and people. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can prove fatal if is not treated in the early stages. It is characterized by high fever, severe headaches, and a rash that appears within three to twelve days after a wood tick bite. Symptoms of the Colorado tick fever appear within three to fourteen days and include flu and rash. Serious lung or brain complications have been reported by patients in the later stages of the disease. Weakness is another problem associated with the disease. Tularemia symptoms appear within one to ten days and include flu and a sore on the bite area. Tick paralysis is a debilitating disease that can even lead to the death of the patient. Its symptoms appear within a week and include a feeling of numbness in the legs. Arm, throat, and tongue muscles also weaken progressively. This disease is cured when the tick is removed, provided the paralysis is not extensive. If symptoms are ignored, this disease can prove fatal. To conclude, wood ticks can transmit fatal diseases and, therefore, awareness and appropriate action are essential to prevent tick bites. |
