It’s still largely a Lower 48 problem, but being bitten by a tick can have serious health consequences. There’s Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease, both of which can cause long-lasting organ, joint and neurological problems, which in some cases can be fatal.
"Rocky Mountain spotted fever"
The Lone Star Tick May Be Spreading A New Disease Across America
An uptick in cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever might actually be due to a newer tick-borne bacterium. It looks like it’s causing milder infections — and a lot of confusion.