Health311Search all NYC.gov websites
Print icon Print

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease carried by ticks.

Ehrlichiosis in New York City

In NYC, ehrlichiosis is usually transmitted by the lone star tick. Lone star ticks may become infected when feeding on mice, deer or elk.

Lone star ticks can be found on Staten Island and in certain parts of the Bronx. The tick must be attached at least 12-24 hours to transmit the bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis. Not all ticks carry these bacteria. Most patients become infected during the spring and summer, when smaller nymphal ticks are most common. Ehrlichiosis cannot be spread from person-to-person.

The number of cases reported in NYC has ranged from 1 to 20 per year. For more information on the number of NYC residents reported to have ehrlichiosis, visit Epi Query.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and sometimes upset stomach.

Prevention

You can prevent ehrlichiosis by avoiding tick bites.

For more information on ticks and preventing tick bites, including the use of repellents and removing ticks, visit Ticks and Tick Prevention.

Treatment

Doctors treat ehrlichiosis with antibiotics like doxycycline.

Information for Providers

For clinical, diagnostic and treatment information, see Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases: Information for Providers.

Additional Resources

Print copies of the below materials may be requested by calling 311.

More Information