Horses, humans and other mammals may face increased risks of Lyme Disease infection in certain regions of the United States, according to medical findings published this month.
A multi-disciplinary and multi-university team of scientific researchers tracked deer ticks nationwide for three years, capturing and analyzing the arachnids for the presence of the borrelia burgdorferi, or Lyme Disease bacterium. The group published their findings in the February 2012 issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
What did the tick tracking team find?
Essentially, two regions show concentrated levels of Lyme Disease infection in the deer ticks (ixodes scapularis) the team studied. The upper Midwest was identified as a high-risk region, with high instances of infected ticks found from northern Illinois, through all of Wisconsin and into much of Minnesota. The northeastern seaboard was also pinpointed, as infected ticks were discovered from New York to Vermont.
The analyzed ticks were picked up from 2004 to 2007, but researchers have indicated that they believe they can trace trends for current and future infestations.
How will the tick trackers’ results help to keep Lyme Disease in check?
Medical experts may use the Lyme Disease mapping to project possible future cases of Lyme Disease, to focus prevention efforts, to assist tracking of infections and to emphasis prompt treatment of tick bites in high-risk regions.
Equestrians, horse trainers, stable staffers, outdoor sportsmen and others who spend lots of time in natural habitats may find the research results helpful as well.
Is your horse barn located in a high-risk region for tick-borne disease? If so, you may find it helpful to know that the CDC offers Lyme Disease pointers for equestrians & outdoorsmen.
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