Tick-borne diseases

Some ticks in Tasmania can cause illness, including Rickettsial infections, allergic reactions, paralysis and a mammalian meat allergy. 

General information

Rickettsial infection is notifiable to the Department of Health, Tasmania. 

Rickettsial infections of significance in Tasmania include Flinders Island Spotted Fever.  This is an illness caused by bacteria known as Rickettsia honei.

Other Rickettsial infections of importance in Australia include Rickettsia australis (Queensland tick typhus, spotted fever), Orientia tsutsugamushi (scrub typhus) and R. typhi (murine typhus). Other tick-borne illnesses of national significance include Q fever. 

Protect yourself

Q fever is vaccine-preventable. There are no vaccines available for other tick-borne illnesses known to be acquired in Australia. 

Strategies to prevent tick bites on people and pets are key in reducing tick-borne illness. 

• Avoid tick infested/endemic areas and contact with ticks
• Wear appropriate light-coloured protective clothing
• Treat clothing and gear with the insecticide permethrin
• Use insect repellent, including those containing picardin, DEET (Diethyl toluamide) or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin. Always read the manufacturer's instructions before applying 
• Use camp beds when camping to elevate the body above the ground
• Check clothing for ticks, then place in a hot dryer for 20 minutes, if available, to kill ticks
• Check the body for ticks when you come inside. 

Reduce your risk while travelling

In addition to the general protection measures above, travellers should know their risk and take steps to avoid tick bites when travelling. 

• Stay up-to-date with local health guidance on tick-borne diseases at your travel destination and consider getting travel vaccines if recommended.

Removing a tick

• First, establish if a person is allergic to ticks or not.
• If the person IS allergic to ticks, do not disturb the tick and seek urgent medical assistance at the nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000). Ensure their adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen or AnaPen) is available in case it is needed. 
• If the person is NOT allergic, and the tick is easily visible, kill the tick as soon as possible by freezing it with an ether-containing spray. Ether-containing sprays are available at pharmacies. If the tick does not drop off after following the instructions on the spray, leave the tick in place and seek medical assistance.
• Never forcibly remove a tick. 
• DO NOT use household tweezers to remove a tick, do not jerk or twist the tick. Don't use methylated spirits, kerosene, petroleum jelly, nail polish, oil, alcohol or a lighted match. 
• See a doctor if unable to kill a tick or if any part of the tick is left in the skin. 

Flinders Island Spotted Fever

Flinders Island Spotted Fever is an illness caused by bacteria known as Rickettsia honei.

It was first identified on Flinders Island but has also been identified elsewhere in Australia and overseas.

It is part of a group of illnesses caused by Rickettsia bacteria, which includes other Spotted Fever infections and typhus infections.

How is it spread?

Flinders Island Spotted Fever is spread to humans by a bite from a tick infected with the bacteria.

The tick that carries the Flinders Island Spotted Fever bacteria is thought to most commonly be found on reptiles.

In Tasmania, infections have been acquired on Flinders Island; the East Coast, including Schouten Island; and possibly as far south as Kettering and the Midlands.

However, the ticks which can carry the disease are in other parts of Tasmania and it is possible the disease can be caught from a much wider geographical area.

Infections can occur throughout the year, but the risk increases during spring and summer months when ticks are most active and when camping and other outdoor activities are more common.

Infections occur in people of all ages.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start 1-2 weeks after being bitten by an infected tick.

Common symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, and extreme tiredness.

Some people also have a rash. Symptoms usually start suddenly.

There may be a prominent scab at the site of the bite.

Diagnosis

Flinders Island Spotted Fever can be difficult to diagnose, but a doctor may suspect it if typical symptoms develop after being in a high-risk area, particularly if there is a history of a tick bite.

The diagnosis may be made by blood tests taken one to two weeks apart, which detects the body's immune response to the infection.

Treatment

Flinders Island Spotted FeverF can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline.

If there is a strong clinical suspicion of infection, treatment should begin without waiting for the results of laboratory tests.

Symptoms usually resolve quickly with treatment.

Prevention

No vaccine is available to prevent Flinders Island Spotted Fever or any other type of typhus infection.

The best way to prevent these types of infections is to minimise exposure to ticks. This includes:

• Avoid tick infested/endemic areas and contact with ticks
• Wear appropriate light-coloured protective clothing
• Treat clothing and gear with the insecticide permethrin
• Use insect repellent, including those containing picardin, DEET (Diethyl toluamide) or oil o lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin. Always read the manufacturer's instructions before applying 
• Use camp beds when camping to elevate the body above the ground
• Check clothing for ticks, then place in a hot dryer for 20 minutes, if available, to kill ticks
• Check the body for ticks when you come inside. 
• See a doctor if unable to kill a tick or if any part of the tick is left in the skin.

What should I do if I have Flinders Island Spotted Fever?

There is no risk of spreading Flinders Island Spotted Fever to others around you and you do not need to isolate yourself.

If you think you may have Flinders Island Spotted Fever, please see your usual GP.

If you have been prescribed a course of antibiotics, please ensure that you take the whole course.

Interstate travel

Where to get help

• In an emergency call 000(triple zero) for an ambulance
• Visit your nearest hospital emergency department 
• Speak to your General Practitioner
• For other queries, contact the Communicable Diseases Prevention Unit on 1800 671 738 (option 3 to speak to a Communicable Diseases Clinical Nurse Consultant) or via fax (6173 0821).

More information

• See the Flinders Island Spotted Fever fact sheet 
• You can find more information on tick bite-associated illnesses on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website
• Visit healthdirect for information on tick bites - symptoms, treatments and prevention
• Guidance Note for Medical Practitioners and Hospitals: Prevention and management of tick bites in Australia 
• Tick Allergy - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
• Insect allergy (bites and stings) - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)