Rates of babesiosis, a tick-borne parasitic disease, increased an average of 9% per year in the United States between 2015 and 2022 and four in 10 patients were found to be co-infected with another tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease.
Tag: Ticks
Houston Methodist prepares for next pandemic as part of national NIH-funded consortium
The question isn’t if, but when, the next pandemic will hit. Research and observation have identified strong potential for the next pandemic-causing virus to come from one or more of five different virus families.
Halting the Dangerous Neurological Effects of the Powassan Virus
While Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the United States, other infections transmitted through tick bites are just as dangerous. One of these is the Powassan virus (POWV). Erich Mackow, PhD, a virologist at Stony Brook University, is conducting research in an attempt to uncover one the most dangerous effects of POWV – neurologic damage.
Ticks may be able to spread chronic wasting disease between deer
A new study from researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison finds that ticks can harbor transmissible amounts of the protein particle that causes chronic wasting disease (CWD), implicating the parasites as possible agents in the disease’s spread between deer in Wisconsin. The findings were published in the journal Nature.
Tick Safety Tips from Lyme Disease Experts at Tufts
Warm weather means tick season. Faculty at the School of Medicine and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine share tips for staying healthy outdoors.
Tick Talk: Facts and Fiction
Given the recent news regarding tickborne illnesses, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine recently posed a question about a mild winter and if that would result in an increase of ticks in the spring. A pair of Cummings School experts shared their advice.
Taking a hike? Remember, it’s deer tick season
KINGSTON, R.I. – Sept. 30, 2022 – If you’re a hiker or just love the outdoors, fall is probably your favorite season. Temperatures are cooler but still warm enough, days are still long, and for the most part, bugs are less of a pest.But as you get ready to head out, University of Rhode Island entomologist Tom Mather wants you to know something: This is also the season for adult blacklegged ticks, or deer ticks.
Hiking Safety for Kids: Expert Tips
As you’re enjoying the early fall weather and outdoor adventures, like hiking, don’t forget to make safety a priority to help keep illness and injuries from spoiling family fun time. Jeffrey M. Bender, MD, attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and former ranger in the Sierra Mountains, points out tips on how to prevent bug bites, proper animal interaction and empowering kids to explore the outdoors in a safe and smart way.
Health, safety tips for summer activities: IU experts available to comment
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many people have plans to enjoy outdoor activities in the warmer weather. And while we have vaccines to protect against COVID-19, there are other safety measures to keep in mind while having fun in the…
Tick Threat Remains a Public Health Concern
With the dangers of Covid-19 waning, and summer nearly upon us, another infectious disease danger remains present for our Long Island population and the region – tick-borne illnesses. Stony Brook experts have been sharing their tick expertise with the community…
Health Status of Vulnerable Gopher Tortoises Revealed in Southeastern Florida
In previously unstudied gopher tortoise aggregations, researchers found that overall, 42.9 percent had circulating antibodies to an infectious bacterium that causes upper respiratory tract disease. Physical examination showed that 19.8 percent had clinical signs consistent with upper respiratory tract disease and 13.2 percent had some form of physical abnormality. None of the tortoises tested positive for Ranavirus or Herpesvirus, which represents important baseline data, since these viruses are thought to be emerging pathogens of other tortoise and turtle species.
Bat Tick Found for the First Time in New Jersey
A tick species associated with bats has been reported for the first time in New Jersey and could pose health risks to people, pets and livestock, according to a Rutgers-led study in the Journal of Medical Entomology. This species (Carios kelleyi) is a “soft” tick. Deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease, are an example of “hard” ticks.
Where Did the Asian Longhorned Ticks in the U.S. Come From?
The invasive population of Asian longhorned ticks in the United States likely began with three or more self-cloning females from northeastern Asia, according to a Rutgers-led study. Asian longhorned ticks outside the U.S. can carry debilitating diseases. In the United States and elsewhere they can threaten livestock and pets. The new study, published in the journal Zoonoses and Public Health, sheds new light on the origin of these exotic ticks and how they are spreading across the United States.
Dangerous Tick-Borne Bacterium Extremely Rare in New Jersey
There’s some good news in New Jersey about a potentially deadly tick-borne bacterium. Rutgers researchers examined more than 3,000 ticks in the Garden State and found only one carrying Rickettsia rickettsii, the bacterium that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. But cases of tick-borne spotted fevers have increased east of the Mississippi River, and more research is needed to understand why, according to a study in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Invasive fire ants limiting spread of meat allergy – but pose their own danger
Invasive fire ants common in the Gulf Coast and Texas likely are limiting a tick-acquired meat allergy in these areas, scientists report. But they have a nasty bite of their own.
Rutgers Extension Agent Can Discuss How to Protect Against Ticks, Lyme Disease
New Brunswick, N.J. (June 15, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor Amy Rowe is available for interviews on how to protect you and your family from ticks and Lyme disease, including how to reduce tick habitat around your home. “Right now…
Parents are twice as likely to be concerned about ticks transmitting diseases than of mosquitoes
When it comes to bug bites, parents are twice as likely to be concerned about ticks as they are about mosquitoes transmitting disease, a new national poll finds.
Ticks aren’t social distancing: Here’s how to protect yourself
Spring is here and being outdoors is important, especially in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic – but it’s important to remember both ticks and people are active outside. The following experts offer important tips on tick awareness and how prevent…
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Offers “Earth Day at Home” Webinar Series
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 16, 2020) – In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, Rutgers Cooperative Extension will offer an “Earth Day at Home” webinar series. The webinars, on Mondays from April 20 to June…
Former advisor to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Program available to talk about recent EPA decisions on pesticides
In the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent release of interim decisions on glyphosate and neonicotinoids, chemicals used in agriculture that have been linked to adverse effects, Former advisor to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Program and Clinical Professor…
Paper-based test could diagnose Lyme disease at early stages
Researchers reporting in ACS Nano have devised a blood test that quickly and sensitively diagnoses the disease at early stages.
Public Comment Period for IDSA/AAN/ACR Draft Lyme Disease Guidelines Open Through Aug. 10
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have opened a public comment period for the draft of their joint guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease.…