Is this tick?

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Tyler723 Tenafly, NJ Jul 23, 2017

I found it on my leg and took it off with my fingers. And if it's a tick what are the dangers of getting Lyme disease? Thanks so much!

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Post #10312017
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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jul 23, 2017

This is a tick, but it is in the genus Dermacentor, which does not transmit Lyme disease. Ticks that do transmit Lyme disease (Ixodes sp.) must remain attached for about 48 hours before there is a significant risk of transmission...

Post #10312036
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Tyler723 Tenafly, NJ Jul 23, 2017

Thank you, Flapdoodle. What diseases does it carry and how long must they remain attached? I'm not sure how long it was on my leg but I took off easily with my fingers and put it on white paper to take photos.

Post #10312038
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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jul 23, 2017

They can vector Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), but must remain attached for at least a few hours before transmission can occur. Risk for RMSF in New Jersey appears to be quite low - an average of 10 confirmed cases of RMSF are reported annually in New Jersey.
See http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/chapters/rms_ch.pdf and http://twp.freehold.nj.us/ticks/public/diseases/rocky_mtn.html

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