Nicole Chinnici, a scientist based in Pennsylvania and expert on tick-related diseases, has noted a concerning rise in the number of ticks sending samples for testing this season.
What’s Going On?
As director of the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania, she mentioned to the Associated Press that this year’s tick activity is notably higher, with a surge in testing for these pests.
The blacklegged tick, famous for spreading Lyme disease, is the most frequently found among the samples. Chinnici also reported an uptick in American dog ticks, Asian longhorned ticks, and lone star ticks.
Her worries extend beyond sheer numbers—Chinnici emphasized that an increase in tick populations feeding on more animal species can lead to the transmission of yet more diseases to humans.
“Recognizing this early lets us maybe get in front of it instead of playing catch-up like we did the first time with blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease,” she explained to the Associated Press.
Why Should We Be Concerned About This Increase in Ticks?
The blacklegged tick isn’t just bothersome; it carries diseases that humans can catch, including not only Lyme disease but also anaplasmosis and tularemia. Meanwhile, lone star ticks and American dog ticks have their own connections to diseases like tularemia.
Particularly alarming is the Asian longhorned tick, which can reproduce without mating—allowing rapid population growth. A female tick can produce thousands of genetically identical offspring through a process called parthenogenesis.
While humans and pets can be hosts to these ticks, Chinnici’s main concern is that livestock could suffer significant harm since the Asian longhorned tick threatens their immune systems, which might impact the meat industry in the United States.
Moreover, the rise in tick captures experienced at Chinnici’s lab isn’t happening by chance. Milder weather contributes to longer survival rates for ticks, giving them more opportunities to breed. Higher temperatures also expand their range further north and west across the U.S. and Canada, leading to increased instances of Lyme disease reported in provinces like Q and Manitoba.
What Steps Are Being Taken Against Tick-Borne Diseases?
To ward off tick-borne illnesses, minimizing exposure is crucial. The CDC advises avoiding densely wooded or grassy areas and suggests staying in the center of hiking trails. It’s also recommended to treat clothing with 0.5% permethrin for extra protection.
Additionally, researchers are busy developing a new tick-repelling medication aimed at keeping humans safe from bites.
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Warning from Scientist About Possible Disease Surge in the US: ‘We Can Get Ahead of It’ first appeared on The Cool Down.
