Rising threat: the Lone Star tick's northern expansion

The Lone Star tick's northward expansion brings new health challenges, as it carries diseases like ehrlichiosis, alpha-gal syndrome, and the Bourbon virus.

Rene Ebersole reports for Undark Magazine.

In short:

The Lone Star tick, known for its aggressive behavior and unique diseases, is spreading northward, now established from Florida to Maine and as far west as Nebraska.
This tick species carries several diseases, including ehrlichiosis, alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy), and the potentially fatal Bourbon virus.
Environmental changes, such as warmer winters and recovering forests, along with an increase in white-tailed deer populations, are contributing to this expansion.

Key quote:

"It’s kind of this perfect storm for them to be taking over."

— Andrea Egizi, Tick researcher

Why this matters:

The northward spread of the Lone Star tick, linked to climate change and environmental shifts, underscores the evolving nature of vector-borne diseases and their impact on national health.

Migratory birds are moving Lyme disease to new places and peoples.

undark.org

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Credit: jat306/Big Stock Photo

Heritage Foundation targets federal agencies with a flood of FOIA requests

The Heritage Foundation has submitted over 50,000 Freedom of Information Act requests to federal agencies, seeking information on employees and communications that could be politically sensitive, especially for a potential Trump administration.

Sharon Lerner and Andy Kroll report for ProPublica.

Keep reading...Show less

Read the Full Article on

www.propublica.org

Rising threat: the Lone Star tick's northern expansion

Hurricane Helene shifts climate change into focus for 2024 campaign

Heritage Foundation targets federal agencies with a flood of FOIA requests

Trump's approach to disaster aid was influenced by politics, say former aides

A marine biologist calls for urgent global action on plastic pollution

Flooding from Hurricane Helene leaves North Carolina mountain residents isolated and at risk

Hurricanes’ hidden death toll lingers long after the storm ends

Hurricane Helene exposes Southeast's flood insurance gap

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania

“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”