Tick Inventory Project
Education about the prevention and risks of Lyme disease as well as inventorying ticks (Ixodes scapularis) at Kenauk.
– The Kenauk Institute
The overall objective of this project is to inform people on Lyme disease, including prevention measures, and to sample Ixodes scapularis ticks in the environment safely. We collect ticks from sample areas on the property of Kenauk to document local risk and contribute to the National Lyme Disease Surveillance Program. Every summer The Kenauk Institute performs several surveys on the property and collects ticks which are genetically tested for lyme disease and other common infections. Of the ticks collected to date, 24 tested positive for Lyme disease (~6%) and 20 tested positive for Babesia microti (~5%). Babesia microti is a pathogen that causes a disease called Babesiosis, a malaria-like disease which also causes fever and hemolysis. It’s transmitted by the nymph stage of ticks, which need to be attached to a person for 36-48 hours and there are effective treatments.
For more information on ticks and lyme disease please consult the following websites or contact your health care provider.
