The state Department of Environmental Protection yesterday announced a five-year surveillance of ticks across Pennsylvania, aiming to assess the risk of tickborne illnesses, especially lyme disease.
The survey actually started last July in every county in the state, and so far has collected more than 3,600 adult black-legged ticks for testing. Thirty-eight counties are also conducting a specific survey of tick nymphs, which can also transmit lyme disease.
The fall and winter surveillance focused on examining the adult blacklegged tick in public use area such as parks, playgrounds, and recreational fields. The spring and summer collection will target the blacklegged tick in its nymphal stage, the adult American dog tick, and the adult lone star tick.
The nymphal stage of the blacklegged tick causes the most tickborne illnesses of humans due to its small size and its activity period, which coincides with more people going outdoors. It’s only about the size of a poppy seed and is far less likely to be found on the human body.
From 2000 to 2016, the Centers for Disease Control reported 1,041 confirmed cases of lyme disease in Indiana County. Neighboring Clearfield County has 2,454 cases, Westmoreland County 1,585, Armstrong County 1,350, Jefferson County 1,275, and Cambria County 614. Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania led the state with 10,611 in the 17-year period.
