What is one of the diseases transmitted by ticks?

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a disease transmitted specifically by ticks, particularly by the bite of infected Dermacentor variabilis (the American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (the Rocky Mountain wood tick). It is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and is characterized by symptoms such as fever, rash, and potentially severe complications if not treated promptly.

In contrast, while malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, chikungunya is also spread by mosquito bites, and filariasis is typically associated with filarial worms and is transmitted by different types of insects, primarily mosquitoes as well. Therefore, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is uniquely identified as a tick-borne illness, making it the correct choice in this context. Understanding the specific vectors associated with various diseases is crucial for effective public health interventions and education.