Pa. leads the nation for Lyme disease cases. Development in forests boosts the risk

[FakeNoose]

Inquirer link: https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-ticks-lyme-disease-forest-fragmentation-development-20231114.html

HOUSERVILLE, Pa. — Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease cases, and the continued development of forested areas increases people’s risk of being bitten by the species of tick that transmits the illness. When forests — where black-legged ticks thrive statewide — are fragmented to make room for roads, oil and gas sites, housing developments, or shopping centers, ticks have fewer available hosts and are more likely to bite humans.

The commonwealth had an estimated 16.6 million acres of forest land in 2019, according to the most recent data. That’s down from 16.9 million in 2014, with nearly half of the loss due to residential and commercial development. The western and eastern parts of the state saw the most forest land lost, reporting a 2% decline, and accounted for more than half of the state’s Lyme disease cases in 2022.

Environmental experts think more elected leaders should consider how forest fragmentation creates other risks, especially before green-lighting projects that come before local governing boards. And because tick season is getting longer due to warmer temperatures year-round, residents statewide are more vulnerable to contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.....

Pennsylvania had the highest incidence rate of Lyme disease nationwide in 11 of the past 12 years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The black-legged tick, also called a deer tick, is Pennsylvania’s most common species, and it is the only one that transmits Lyme disease when it feeds. The illness can cause flulike symptoms and lead to more severe effects if left untreated. Black-legged ticks can also spread the Powassan virus, also called the deer tick virus, which attacks the central nervous system and can be fatal in extreme circumstances.

- more at link -

We're just as likely to encounter a tick in our own backyard as out in the woods or on a hiking trail. Personally I worry more about my dog, who's already had Lyme disease once.

[twodogsbarking]

1. But the revenue from Deer hunting makes it worthwhile. Right?

Pay no attention to the traffic accidents.

[FakeNoose]

2. The state has reduced the acreage of deer hunting in favor of development

... so I don't see how that's a relevant issue.

We're seeing the deer ticks invading neighborhoods and suburbs, and coming more in contact with humans as a result. If all they did was bite the deer, we wouldn't care too much.

[twodogsbarking]

3. Lot of deer lots of ticks. Lots of deer more money to Game Commission.

Game commission acquires more land. Rinse , repeat. Relevant to me.

[Chainfire]

4. If you spend time in the woods, ticks will be a part of your life.

I live in a clearing in the woods. Most of the ticks I see are American Dog Ticks even though we are surrounded by deer. Whenever I go into the woods, when I come out it is straight to a hot shower to wash them off before they have time to dig in. (gets rid of the chiggers too) Even with that a few times a year I will find one that has quitely found a nice place to make a home and is dug in nice and snug... No lyme so far. We enjoy having the deer around and we have some feed piles for them that we can view from our office. Two does and a spotted fawn have been making regular appearances over the past week; they love the shelled corn.

[Axelrods_Typewriter]

5. I refuse to go in the woods because of these ticks.

They're absolutely everywhere. I've heard of people's kids playing in the yard and coming in with a couple ticks on them.

But hey, those deer feedlot owners are making quite a bit of money, and that's all that matters, right?