Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne bacterial infection that can cause permanent disability or death in humans, with a case fatality rate up to 28% untreated. In 2003, RMSF moved into Arizona, where it is vectored by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).

We would like to determine whether coyotes develop antibodies for RMSF - indicating that they are affected by the disease - and investigate whether they facilitate the dispersal of RMSF-infected ticks.