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● TRACKER Updated 3d ago · 34 sources tracked

California resident infected with rare tick-borne illness, officials confirm

Health officials confirmed a Northern California resident is the fourth person ever diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease featuring symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This case follows other rare vector-borne reports across the U.S., including a localized flea-borne typhus outbreak in Los Angeles where five people fell ill this year. Other regions report rare tick infections, such as the Bourbon virus in New York and rabbit fever in Suffolk County, highlighting a diverse range of uncommon infections appearing in residential and urban settings.

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What changed

A Northern California resident became the fourth person ever diagnosed with this specific rare tick-borne illness.

Live updates

  1. California resident diagnosed with rare tick-borne illness

    Health officials confirmed a Northern California resident is the fourth person ever diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease featuring symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This case follows other rare vector-borne reports across the U.S., including a localized flea-borne typhus outbreak in Los Angeles where five people fell ill this year. Other regions report rare tick infections, such as the Bourbon virus in New York and rabbit fever in Suffolk County, highlighting a diverse range of uncommon infections appearing in residential and urban settings.

    Why it matters

    These cases illustrate the spread of uncommon pathogens into areas where they are not typically found. The emergence of these diseases in urban environments, such as apartments in Texas, suggests a shifting risk for residents. Prompt treatment is critical for certain infections like rabbit fever to prevent death.

    What is confirmed

    • Five people in the Pico-Union neighborhood have fallen ill with flea-borne typhus this year.
    • Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is an uncommon tick-borne infection that can be deadly without prompt treatment.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Stony Brook researchers confirmed the first case of the Bourbon virus in New York state.
    • Three cases of rabbit fever were reported in Suffolk County this summer.
    • An infected soft tick found in an Austin apartment is linked to a case of relapsing fever.

    What to watch next

    • Reports of further cases of the rare tick-borne illness in California
    • Official health warnings regarding flea-borne typhus in Los Angeles County
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. abc7.com — Flea-borne typhus outbreak in Pico-Union prompts warning from LA County health officials
    2. gizmodo.com — A Rare and Deadly Tick Virus With No Cure Has Taken Hold in New York
    3. www.cbsnews.com — 3 cases of rare tick-borne rabbit fever found in Suffolk County so far this year
    4. www.everydayhealth.com — Ticks Can Spread a Disease Called Rabbit Fever. How Real Is the Risk?
    5. scitechdaily.com — Tick Found in Austin Apartment Linked to Rare Relapsing Fever
    confidence 90%

  2. California resident diagnosed with rare tick-borne illness

    A Northern California resident became the fourth person ever diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease that mimics Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This case follows a broader pattern of unusual vector-borne illnesses across the U.S., including a flea-borne typhus outbreak in Los Angeles where five people fell ill this year. Other rare infections are appearing in different regions, such as the first confirmed case of the Bourbon virus in New York and multiple instances of rabbit fever in Suffolk County.

    Why it matters

    These cases highlight the emergence of uncommon pathogens in residential and urban areas. The variety of illnesses suggests a diversifying range of tick and flea threats across different climates.

    What is confirmed

    • Five people in the Pico-Union neighborhood have contracted flea-borne typhus this year.
    • Tularemia, also called rabbit fever, is an uncommon tick-borne infection that can be deadly without prompt treatment.
    • Stony Brook researchers confirmed the first case of the Bourbon virus in New York state.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Three cases of rabbit fever occurred in Suffolk County this summer.
    • A tick found in an Austin apartment is linked to a rare relapsing fever.
    • A Northern California resident is the fourth person ever diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

    What to watch next

    • Confirmation of the specific pathogen affecting the Northern California resident
    • Public health updates on the Pico-Union typhus outbreak
    • Further reports of Bourbon virus cases in the Northeast
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. abc7.com — Flea-borne typhus outbreak in Pico-Union prompts warning from LA County health officials
    2. gizmodo.com — A Rare and Deadly Tick Virus With No Cure Has Taken Hold in New York
    3. www.cbsnews.com — 3 cases of rare tick-borne rabbit fever found in Suffolk County so far this year
    4. www.everydayhealth.com — Ticks Can Spread a Disease Called Rabbit Fever. How Real Is the Risk?
    5. scitechdaily.com — Tick Found in Austin Apartment Linked to Rare Relapsing Fever
    confidence 90%

  3. Northern California resident diagnosed with rare tick-borne illness

    A person in Northern California is the fourth individual ever diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease. The illness presents symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

    What's confirmed:

    • A Northern Californian has been diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease.
    • The individual is the fourth person ever diagnosed with this condition.
    • The illness produces symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. Lyme Disease News -- ScienceDaily
    2. map showing tick data, before and after advent of National Tick ...
    3. Officials confirm Larimer County's first human case of West ... - AOL
    4. Chronic Symptoms and Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease | CDC
    5. Lyme disease - Wikipedia
    6. Growing tick population draws attention to rare Lyme symptom - NY1
    confidence 100%

  4. Northern California Resident Confirms Rare Tick-Borne Infection

    A Northern Californian has been diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease. The illness produces symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This person is the fourth individual ever diagnosed with the condition.

    What's confirmed:

    • A Northern Californian has been diagnosed with a rare tick-borne disease.
    • The illness causes symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
    • This patient is the fourth person ever diagnosed with the disease.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. Could Powassan Virus Be America's Next Tick-Borne Threat?
    2. About Powassan | Powassan Virus | CDC
    3. Northern Californian is infected with rare tick-borne illness
    4. Local News - The Willits News
    5. Westnile.ca.gov | California West Nile Virus Website
    6. Powassan Virus: Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment & Prevention
    confidence 100%

  5. Northern California Resident Recovers from Rare Tick-Borne Illness

    A Northern California resident has recovered after contracting Rickettsia lanei. This bacterial illness is extremely rare. Only four cases have been confirmed worldwide.

    What's confirmed:

    • A Northern California resident contracted Rickettsia lanei.
    • The patient recovered from the illness.
    • Four cases of Rickettsia lanei have been confirmed worldwide.
    Sources used for this update (2)
    1. Health officials warn about possible measles exposure at LAX ... - AOL
    2. Rare Tick-Borne Illness Confirmed in California Resident, Health ...
    confidence 100%

  6. Northern California Resident Infected With Rare Rickettsia lanei Bacterium

    A Northern California resident was hospitalized after being infected with the rare tick-borne bacterium Rickettsia lanei. The patient was diagnosed in April. This case marks the third such infection in California.

    What's confirmed:

    • A Northern California resident was infected with the bacterium Rickettsia lanei.
    • The patient was diagnosed in April.
    • This is the third California resident to be infected with Rickettsia lanei.
    • The patient was hospitalized due to the infection.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The infected person is the fourth person in the world to contract the illness.
    • The person is the fourth person in the U.S. to be infected with the bacterium.
    Sources used for this update (16)
    1. Californian is infected with rare tick-borne illness. What to know about the deadly bacteria
    2. Californian is infected with rare tick-borne illness. What to know about the deadly bacteria
    3. Extremely rare tick-borne disease infects person in NorCal
    4. Extremely Rare Tick-Borne Illness Infects Person in California
    5. Little-known spotted fever pathogen detected in California ticks
    6. Northern California resident infected with rare tick-borne illness
    7. New Cases Of Deadly Tick-Borne Disease Detected In CA. Heres What To Know
    8. California resident infected with rare tick-borne illness, officials confirm
    9. California resident is fourth person in the world infected with tick-borne illness
    10. New case of extremely rare tick-borne illness detected in California
    11. Rare tick-borne bacteria case in California sends patient to hospital
    12. Rare tick-borne bacteria case in California sends patient to hospital
    confidence 90%