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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it was conducting a five-year environmental surveillance of ticks to badess the risk of tick-borne diseases throughout Pennsylvania. .
The survey, which began in July 2018 in coordination with county governments, is part of Working Group on Lyme Disease in Pennsylvania recommendations to combat the increasing incidence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. It is funded each year by the state budget.
Lyme disease, other tick-borne diseases up in 2017
"Lyme disease affects thousands of Pennsylvanians every year, but ticks are also known to carry other pathogens that can infect humans. This survey will provide important insights that will help us better understand these arachnids in our environment and inform Pennsylvanians about how, when and where to avoid being bitten by ticks that carry the disease, "said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. "We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors and take the necessary precautions to avoid contact with ticks and we are proud to support the efforts of the Lyme Disease Task Force to protect the Pennsylvanians. "
Lyme disease ticks found in all Pennsylvania counties
"Lyme disease is a major public health problem in Pennsylvania," said Health Secretary Rachel Levine. "Many people think that Lyme disease and the ticks that carry it can only be found in wooded areas. However, I personally know, like many others, that ticks are found in your yard, where you walk your dog or in the local park. These monitoring efforts will help us share with all Pennsylvanians the importance of taking steps to protect yourself. "
Interviews with Lyme Disease
The survey is being conducted in all Pennsylvania counties to monitor habitats, development stages, and peak activity levels of ticks and to test for pathogenic diseases in humans. In addition, 38 countries are conducting a specific survey on blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), which may transmit Lyme disease to humans.
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