We managed to bring home two ticks with us from Malheur after our
trip over memorial day. One was on Teresa and the other was in
Michelle's bed, neither seem to have actually been bitten. Both
ticks were ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOOD TICKS which, according to the OSU
extension service DO NOT CARRY LYME DISEASE, though they can carry
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/em/em8410-e/

The only known carriers of Lyme Disease are ticks in the genus
Ixodes including the fairly common Western Black-legged Tick which
is big, black and long-legged. Again, according to the OSU extension,
only 1 to 5% of Ixodes ticks actually carry the Lyme bacteria. Be
cautious, watch any bites you might get, freeze any critters you
think bit you, but odds are you'll not get Lyme Disease.

Jeff Gilligan wrote:
>
> Since it is the time of year when birders sometimes are attacked by ticks, I
> recommend checking the CDC site regarding Lyme Disease.
>
> I know someone who has the disease from a tick in Oregon, and has not been
> able to recover for the four or five years that she has had it. I have also
> heard that a clinic in the Portland area is treating numerous patients who
> have not responded to antibiotic treatments. Most of those patients
> contracted the disease in central Oregon. As I understand, keeping a tick
> in a plastic sealed bag, after extracting it, and taking it to your
> physician for testing is recommended because of the advantage of treating
> the disease early after the bacteria has entered your body.
>
> I am not a physician. I suggest that birders become aware of this health
> threat, and consult their physician if they have questions.
>
> Best of birding.
>
> Jeff Gilligan
>
> Portland
>
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--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

Malheur NWR Photo Essay
http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/05/malheur200705.html