Final answer:
Ixodes Pacificus ticks are primarily responsible for transmitting Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is endemic to specific regions in the U.S., especially the Pacific coast, due to the presence of the Ixodes Pacificus ticks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diseases Transmitted by Ixodes Pacificus
The Ixodes Pacificus tick is primarily known for transmitting Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This tick acts as a vector for the disease, similar to how mosquitoes transmit malaria. Lyme disease can lead to chronic disorders in various systems of the body if left untreated.
While Lyme disease is the most commonly reported disease transmitted by Ixodes Pacificus, ticks can also be responsible for transmitting other diseases such as ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis; however, these are typically associated with other tick species.
Lyme disease is endemic to particular geographic regions of the United States. In Western US, it is transmitted by Ixodes Pacificus, mainly along the Pacific coast. The prevalence of Lyme disease cases has increased over the past decades due to the expanding range of these tick species.