Spatial and clinical epidemiology of spotted fever rickettsioses and ehrlichiosis, North Carolina, 2010-2019.

ABSTRACT:

Background

North Carolina (NC) ranks among the top five states for spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR) cases and second for ehrlichiosis in the U.S. Identifying geographic clusters of cases is important to elucidate disease risk and inform public health response, including resource allocation. This study examined geographic patterns of tick-borne disease incidence in NC over a 10-year period and modeled predictors of disease severity.

Methodology/findings

We analyzed 6,748 SFR and 1,216 ehrlichiosis cases reported to the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System between January 2010 and December 2019. Average annual incidence was evaluated in two-year periods using global spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) and Local Indicator of Spatial Association. We found that ehrlichiosis

SUBMITTER: Brown Marusiak A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12364335 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature