Ticks in Florida Could Be Carrying Heartland Virus

Black-legged ticks are not the only potentially dangerous ticks in Florida.

News4Jax reports that researchers say the relatively new virus found in ticks may be in Florida – the Heartland virus.

And let’s face it, with Spring finally here and all of us looking forward to enjoying yet another Jacksonville prelude to Summer, this is the last thing we need to hear – as if COVID-19 mania wasn’t bad enough.

This new Jacksonville threat, the Heartland virus, is carried and passed on by the Lone Star tick.

This little monster can be identified by the single light-colored dot on its back; and researchers now say ticks carrying the Heartland virus have been spotted in neighboring Georgia.

According to the CDC, more than 50 cases of the virus have been identified in people from 11 states since it was first discovered in 2009. But that number is thought to be higher.

With this latest Heartland virus discovery, medical experts say people in Florida should be aware it exists especially since the most active months for ticks in Florida are March through September.

Symptoms of the Heartland virus include fever, headache, tiredness, muscle aches, loss of appetite, diarrhea and nausea.

Jacksonville tick control for protection against Heartland virus.

With the prevalence of ticks in Florida, full-scale tick control isn’t just about protecting ourselves from seeing ticks, but also possibly contracting a tick-borne illness, like the Heartland virus.

As we’ve come to know from the threat of Lyme Disease, even though Lyme Disease is rare in Florida as compared to other parts of the country, an ounce of prevention will keep it that way. Proactive steps are extremely important when it comes to putting a stop to serious health ramifications of the Heartland virus.

Most people infected with Heartland virus experience fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain. Many are hospitalized because of their symptoms.

Symptoms and signs of Heartland virus disease are often similar to illnesses caused by ticks in Florida, such as ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis. And it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear after an infected tick bite.

So now, we have been warned. Lone star ticks could be carrying the Heartland virus. Get protection. Choose Mosquito Squad of Northeast Florida for all your Jacksonville tick control needs. Call (904) 844-0816.