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• • Anoka County Multi- Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan Animal and Vector -Based Hazards — One of the "emerging" threats to Minnesota and its citizens are vector -based threats - bacteria, insects and other animals that pose a direct or indirect hazard to humans, their food supply, or the state's economy. Vector -borne diseases diagnosed in Minnesota include: Western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lime Disease, tularemia, rabies, plague, and Hanta- Virus. Lyme disease is a potentially serious bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. The disease affects both humans and animals. The Minnesota Department of Health is monitoring the spread of the disease across the state and working with residents to limit exposure to the ticks causing the disease. In Minnesota, the area where Lyme disease is endemic is primarily the drainage basin of the St. Croix River. The ticks are endemic to Washington County along the St. Croix Valley, and to Chisago, Anoka, Pine, Mille Lacs, Crow Wing, Kanabec, and Atkin counties. loom crud Lyme Disease Areas of Highest Risk in Minnesota CL1• v. 1995 -2004 n=11,516 cases Minnesota Department of Health As long as vectors are present in the state, the potential for recurring disease exists. Based on historical incidence, the vector -borne diseases to which the population is most vulnerable are St. Louis encephalitis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia and Hanta- Virus. The likelihood of Western equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis infecting the population is greater in the high mountainous areas of the state. Colorado tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever have been small problems in the state. The state should be considered vulnerable to future incidence of tick fever. Most, but not all cases of tularemia appear to be associated with ticks in the southeastern part of the state. Anoka County has had no reported cases of these diseases. While the probability of future events exists, the risk is low for all jurisdictions. 102