Scientists Issue Warning Over Rise to Ticks Carrying Multiple Diseases

By Melissa Fleur Afshar

Ticks capable of carrying and transmitting more than one potentially fatal disease at the same time are becoming increasingly common in the northeastern U.S., according to a new long-term analysis that raises fresh public health concerns for the region.

The research found that a growing share of blacklegged ticks—also known as deer ticks—are infected with multiple disease-causing pathogens. The study was led by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies disease ecologist Shannon LaDeau and conducted in partnership with the SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases at Upstate Medical University.

The findings come from nearly a decade of tick surveillance and point to a more complex and potentially dangerous tick-borne disease landscape, particularly because different infections require different treatments.

“Healthcare workers should be on the lookout for rising co-infection risks,” LaDeau said in a statement. “And for people spending time outdoors in the Northeast, as a general rule, if the ground is not freezing, it’s a good idea to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Prevention is key.” (See link for article)

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Findings:

1 in10 nymphs tested positive for at least two pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi (19.3%) and Babesia microti (21%) were the most common followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (5.8%) and Borrelia miyamotoi (2%)
by the end of the study period 11% of sampled ticks had coinfections
coinfection rate has been increasing over time
38% of nymphs were capable of transmitting at least one disease to humans

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Madison Area Lyme Support Group