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Ixodes Pacificus (the western black-legged tick, which can carry Bb) has been found in 56 of California's 58 counties, including the desert areas. (There's no data available for Modoc and Alpine counties, neither of them in the desert.)
Ticks feed on birds, rodents, all kinds of small mammals. They get around.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
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Yes, just as spirochetes can survive intense heat, ticks can survive VERY high and very cold temps. They are experts as burrowing during harsh weather and even going down into sand for the hot hours of the day, coming out when it cools down.
Ticks are even known to survive forest fires as long as they can burrow into crooks or hollows of trees, just as they can do to survive freezing temps
Anywhere birds fly, mice scamper or other critters crawl, ticks can live. So, yes, I have read that the dessert can be home to ticks - although not as many in number as damp woods or gardens.
Sorry, I don't have the articles you need but you might also, check out (San Joaquin) Valley Fever if you are wearing your detective hat trying to regain health for yourself or another.
I had that while living in Bakersfield in the mid-70's but did not know until reading this article last year that it could become chronic. At the time I had it I was told there was no treatment and no big deal but I sure got really sick at that time.
Had I known about allicin then, I would have hit that heavily.
The disseminated form is likely to be overlooked in those who have it.
Coccidioidomycosis is a disease caused by the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis.
Reference from A.D.A.M.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
Coccidiosis; San Joaquin Valley fever; Valley fever
CAUSES
Infection is caused by inhalation of the spores of the fungus, Coccidioides immitis, which is often found in desert regions.
About 60% of infections cause no symptoms and are only recognized later by a positive coccidioidin skin test. In the remaining 40% of cases, symptoms range from mild to severe.
People with a compromised immune system tend to have more serious infections. Individuals with AIDS are at higher risk for pulmonary (lung) coccidioidomycosis, as well as for the disseminated (spread to many body systems) and cutaneous (skin) forms of the disease.
The disease can have an acute, chronic, or disseminated form. Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is almost always mild, with few or no symptoms, and resolves without treatment. The incubation period is 7 to 21 days.
. . .
SYMPTOMS
Any of the following may be symptoms:
[poster's note, here: a very long list, surprisingly similar symptoms to disseminated lyme.]
. . .
Disseminated or severe disease should be treated with amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole, or itraconazole.
. . .
OUTLOOK (PROGNOSIS)
The outcome in acute disease is likely to be good. With treatment, for chronic or severe disease, the outcome is usually good (although relapses may occur). People with disseminated disease have a high death rate.
. . .
- Full artile - with much more detail - at link above.
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My blog, "Touched by Lyme," on the CALDA website, has several postings relating to the extent of Lyme in California. The following post summarizes a report on the subject I presented to state health officials last month.
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