Researchers estimate that 60% of infection diseases are spread from animals to humans, often by arthropods. Although malaria infections are decreasing in Africa, there has been an increase in acute febrile illness (AFI). AFI includes rapid onset of fever and symptoms such as headache and chills. The South African Mnisi community, which shares 75% surrounded by wildlife reserves, has a high number of AFI cases. We plan to test the hypothesis that AFI in Mnisi is attributed to tick-borne pathogens