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

Rising threat: the Lone Star tick's northern expansion

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