New Carrier: Common tick implicated in spread of fever

A wide-ranging tick previously considered to be little more than a nuisance to people is responsible for at least 11 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in eastern Arizona, researchers report. The lethal bacterial disease had been virtually unknown in that area.

GUILTY PARTY. An Arizona outbreak shows that the brown dog tick, which can range from 3 millimeters to 12 mm in length, can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever.