LaDeau, Shannon L., KellyOggenfuss, AlexanderSchmidt, SaravananThangamani, and Richard S.Ostfeld. 2025. “Ecological Dynamics of Blacklegged Ticks, Vertebrate Hosts, and Associated Zoonotic Pathogens in Northeastern Forests.” Ecosphere16(12): e70508. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70508
Researchers tested 2,000+ blacklegged ticks in New York over 9 years
• 38% of ticks carried at least one pathogen capable of infecting humans
• About 10% carried multiple pathogens (co-infection)
• The most common combination was Lyme disease + Babesia microti
• Babesia was found in 21% of ticks, higher than previous estimates
• Bartonella was not detected in the ticks tested at these study sites
Gabriella True
