Surveillance of host-seeking ticks and pathogens to promote public awareness and prevention of tick-borne disease

As incidence of tick-borne diseases continue to rise, rigorous surveillance efforts targeting collection of host-seeking ticks is necessary to mitigate illness and protect public health. Through collection, we are able to identify species distributions and gather information on how climate and habitat factors influence tick dynamics such as population establishment and densities. Diagnostic testing for common disease causing pathogens—namely Borrelia burgdorferi and Spotted fever rickettsioses bacteria—identifies regions with risk for developing illness. Since tick-borne diseases are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, exposure to tick vectors is the fundamental component that determines disease risk. Preliminary findings identify several populations of medically-relevant tick species including Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis infected with common disease-causing pathogens in community parks, hiking trails, and other popular outdoor recreational areas, suggesting that these areas represent where risk for encountering a tick exists. Unique climate and environmental factors in temperature, humidity, and habitat type have been linked with presence and activity of species. Using the data collected in these studies, we can map presence of tick species and identify populations that are harboring disease-causing bacteria. Recognizing influencing factors in the environment may help predict future shifts in tick and tick-borne pathogens and enhances understanding of these dynamics. Applying this data further, we are able to generate material for public outreach efforts to promote increased awareness and prevention of tick borne disease and the factors that may influence exposure to ticks among the public.