A female
deer tick (left) and a nymph deer tick. (Ixodes
scapularis)
Courtesy of Griffin Dill, UMaine Cooperative Extension
Both the number of deer tick-borne pathogens and deer tick
related diseases are increasing in Maine.
Here in Maine, 2016 was a dry year, generally not good for deer
ticks to flourish, yet tick-borne diseases hit record numbers for
last year according to the Maine
CDC's year end report.
-
Anaplasmosis - 372
-
Babesiosis - 83
-
Lyme - 1464
Now in Maine there's a fourth disease, Powassan, worse than
Lyme, potentially lethal and can be much more quickly transmitted.
See last month's excellent Bangor Daily News article by Jackie
Farwell, BDN Health Editor on Powassan
http://vitalsigns.bangordailynews.com/2017/04/26/home/tick-researchers-found-powassan-virus-in-these-maine-towns/
Scroll down in the article for the interactive map to access
specific spatial datasets (hint - hover mouse over colored dots)
Conclusion from the Maine Medical Center MOHF Final Report
- Powassan virus is present in Ixodes scapularis ticks in Maine,
adding this virus to a list of pathogens carried by these ticks.
- Powassan virus was found across southern Maine at several
sites, but was not detected yet in northern or eastern Maine.
- Unlike bacterial pathogens, where nymphal deer ticks are the
primary public health concern, adult ticks may be as important
as nymphs for the transmission of Powassan virus.
For more information, it's definitely worth looking at the
University of Rhode Island's Center for Vector-Borne Disease
website: http://www.tickencounter.org/
Spray your boots and clothing with permethrin
repellent
24 oz spray $15 @
Amazon
--
Untitled Document
Mr. V. Kelly Bellis, ME PLS 2099 :: WQTS485
17 Union Street :: Ellsworth, ME 04605
http://aerial.panocea.us :: 1+ (207) 667-6912