Ticks pose risk of fever, authorities say

Hikers and mountain-bikers countywide should beware of ticks carrying Rocky Mountain spotted fever after one was found in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, authorities said Monday.

The Pacific Coast tick, found in the South County park by a vector control inspector in January, was confirmed to have been carrying the disease by lab analysis last week.

The tick-borne disease causes flu-like symptoms and, in rare cases, can be fatal, officials said. Though the last Orange County case was reported 15 years ago, they said, people should check for ticks after venturing into county wilderness parks.