Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases on the Rise in the Southern Mid-Atlantic Region
Ellen Stromdahl, an entomologist with the United States Army Public Health Center, found herself at a garden party in coastal Virginia in June 2023 when her friend Albert Duncan suddenly fainted. What followed was a harrowing ordeal for Duncan, who was diagnosed with both babesiosis and Lyme disease, both transmitted by black-legged ticks. If not for Stromdahl’s quick thinking and recommendation for testing, Duncan’s condition could have been far worse.
The case of Albert Duncan prompted Stromdahl to delve deeper into the prevalence of Babesia microti, the parasite responsible for babesiosis, in ticks and humans in the mid-Atlantic region. Collaborating with a team of researchers, she discovered alarming findings that indicate a rapid expansion of the Babesia parasite in the area. This shift, attributed to changing weather patterns and climate change, poses a significant threat to communities where the disease has traditionally been rare.
The study, published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, revealed that ticks carrying the Babesia parasite were found in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, signaling a potential increase in human cases of babesiosis in the southern mid-Atlantic region. The warmer winters and above-average rainfall in recent years have created favorable conditions for ticks and their hosts, leading to a surge in tick populations and the spread of tick-borne diseases.
The connection between Lyme disease and babesiosis is of particular concern, as ticks infected with one disease are more likely to carry the other. The authors of the study also identified hot spots for babesiosis cases, including the Baltimore area and the Delmarva Peninsula. However, experts believe that the actual number of babesiosis cases is underreported due to a lack of awareness among physicians.
As tick populations continue to increase, the risk of tick-borne diseases becomes a growing concern. Efforts to reforest barren areas and declining rates of hunting have contributed to the proliferation of white-tailed deer, which serve as hosts for ticks. Suburban development encroaching on forested areas further exposes individuals to ticks and the diseases they carry.
The research conducted by Stromdahl and her team serves as a warning for health departments in the southern mid-Atlantic region to be vigilant about the rising threat of tick-borne diseases. Public health warnings, surveillance for infected ticks, and increased awareness among healthcare providers are crucial in preventing severe cases like Albert Duncan’s. As the climate continues to change and tick populations expand, understanding the interaction between infected ticks and humans is essential to mitigating the risks posed by tick-borne diseases.
This article was originally published by Grist, a nonprofit media organization covering climate, justice, and solutions.
