How many people have died from ticks? - briefly
Tick-borne diseases cause a few hundred deaths worldwide each year, with most fatalities attributed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other severe infections. In the United States, estimates range from 300 to 500 deaths annually from these illnesses.
How many people have died from ticks? - in detail
Tick bites can transmit several pathogens that occasionally result in death. The most frequently reported lethal outcomes involve Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE), and severe cases of Lyme disease complications, although the latter are rare.
Globally, RMSF accounts for the majority of confirmed tick‑borne fatalities. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records an average of 30 to 40 deaths per year, based on surveillance data from the 2010s through 2022. European RMSF reports are lower, with fewer than ten deaths annually across the continent.
TBE produces a mortality rate of roughly 1 % in Europe and Asia. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) documents approximately 3,000–5,000 cases each year, translating to 30–50 deaths. In Russia, where incidence is higher, mortality can reach 2 % of cases, resulting in several hundred deaths per year.
Lyme disease rarely leads directly to mortality. Reported deaths in the United States number fewer than five per decade, primarily associated with severe cardiac or neurologic involvement. European data show a similar pattern, with isolated cases of fatal outcomes.
Other tick‑borne infections with documented deaths include:
- Babesiosis – occasional fatality in immunocompromised patients; United States reports <10 deaths annually.
- Anaplasmosis – mortality rate <0.5 %; CDC records 1–2 deaths per year.
- Ehrlichiosis – mortality rate 1–2 %; CDC reports 5–10 deaths annually.
Overall, worldwide tick‑related mortality is estimated at 500–800 deaths per year, dominated by RMSF and TBE. The figure reflects reported cases; under‑reporting and misdiagnosis may cause a modest underestimation.