Lake County, IL — The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the state’s first tick infected with Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (EME) in Lake County. This bacteria, transmitted by blacklegged tick bites, can cause ehrlichiosis, a serious tickborne illness.
The infected tick, collected on May 17, was confirmed positive for EME by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to IDPH, this discovery marks the first time the disease has been found in Illinois, with past cases limited to Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Lake County Health Department collected the tick during routine surveillance funded by IDPH.
Ehrlichiosis is easily treatable with antibiotics if caught early but can lead to severe complications if untreated. Health officials urge anyone spending time outdoors to take precautions, including checking for ticks and being aware of potential symptoms. The discovery of this infected tick has prompted warnings for increased vigilance among healthcare providers and the public.
