Summary
A study found that more ticks in the northeastern U.S. are carrying multiple diseases, increasing health risks for people in the region. The research, conducted over nearly a decade, showed that one in ten ticks carried at least two pathogens, including those causing Lyme disease and babesiosis.
Key Facts
- Ticks in the northeastern U.S. can carry more than one disease at the same time.
- A study screened over 2,000 blacklegged ticks for 16 pathogens between 2014 and 2022.
- About 10% of nymphal ticks were found with two disease-causing pathogens.
- The most common diseases carried were Lyme disease and babesiosis.
- Babesiosis is more prevalent than earlier estimates, affecting over 21% of ticks.
- Lyme disease risk increased yearly, with 19.3% of ticks found carrying it.
- Other pathogens like Anaplasma and Borrelia miyamotoi were also detected.
- The chance of getting a disease from a single tick bite is near 40%.
