Tick-Borne Disease in Virginia, 1949–1958. An Ecological Note

Abstract

Summary Among the cases of tick-borne diseases in Virginia during the years 1949 through 1958, 25.7% of the tularemia and 16.3% of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases occurred in a small area in the southcentral part of the state. It is suggested that these findings illustrate the concepts of the nidality of disease and microbial synergism. The latter theory, with particular reference to Pasteurella tularensis and Rickettsia rickettsii, and a holistic approach to the study and control of tick-borne disease are discussed.