What infections can ticks that are on cats transmit to humans? - briefly
Ticks feeding on cats may transmit zoonotic agents such as Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia species (including R. rickettsii and R. conorii), Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and tick‑borne encephalitis virus. Human infection can result from a tick bite or from handling a cat harboring infected ticks.
What infections can ticks that are on cats transmit to humans? - in detail
Ticks that attach to domestic cats can serve as vectors for several pathogens capable of infecting humans. Transmission occurs when an infected tick bites a person, either directly after detaching from a cat or after the cat brings the tick into the household environment.
Common zoonotic agents associated with feline‑borne ticks include:
- Borrelia burgdorferi – the bacterium that causes Lyme disease; transmitted by Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes ricinus.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum – agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis; also spread by Ixodes species.
- Rickettsia rickettsii and other spotted‑fever group rickettsiae – responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and related illnesses; vectors include Dermacentor variabilis and Dermacentor reticulatus.
- Babesia microti – protozoan causing babesiosis; transmitted by Ixodes scapularis.
- Ehrlichia chaffeensis – causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis; vector is Amblyomma americanum.
- Coxiella burnetii – causative agent of Q fever; can be carried by various tick species.
- Francisella tularensis – agent of tularemia; transmitted by Dermacentor and other hard ticks.
In addition to bacterial and protozoan diseases, some ticks may carry viral agents such as tick‑borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in regions where the virus is endemic. Though TBEV is more commonly linked to Ixodes ricinus feeding on wildlife, cats can transport infected ticks into domestic settings, creating a potential exposure route.
Risk factors for human infection include:
- Presence of outdoor cats that roam in tick‑infested habitats.
- Lack of regular ectoparasite control on feline companions.
- Indoor environments that allow ticks to remain after falling off the host.
- Direct handling of cats without protective gloves after a tick attachment.
Preventive measures focus on controlling tick infestations on cats through veterinary‑approved acaricides, regular grooming, and environmental management (e.g., yard mowing, removal of leaf litter). Prompt removal of attached ticks from both cats and humans reduces the likelihood of pathogen transmission. Early recognition of symptoms—fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain—should trigger medical evaluation and appropriate testing for the specific tick‑borne disease.