Research Entomologist US CDC Fort Collins, Colorado
Human-biting ixodid tick species collectively transmit >15 species of pathogenic microorganisms and the burden of tick-borne diseases is increasing in the United States. The prospect of a new Lyme disease vaccine for use in humans provides hope for substantial reduction in the >450,000 estimated annual cases of Lyme disease but this breakthrough would not reduce cases of other tick-borne diseases (e.g., anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fever group rickettsiosis, and Powassan encephalitis) or provide relief for other types of tick bite-associated health problems, such as tick paralysis and alpha gal syndrome/red meat allergy. This presentation will (i) provide an overview of the challenges in preventing human tick bites and tick-borne infections, and (ii) discuss opportunities to overcome these challenges by increased use of existing solutions, development of novel technologies, and strengthening of the public health workforce engaged in management of human-biting ticks and tick-borne diseases.
