Reported cases of tick-borne diseases are sharply rising in the U.S.—and summer is peak season for ticks. What can folks do to stay safe? Which areas are more prone to ticks? What’s contributing to the rise in cases? Help your viewers know what the research says and what info to trust.
Dr. Maria Diuk-Wasser, professor of ecology, evolution, and environmental biology at Columbia University, is available for interviews. She specializes in how climate change impacts the emergence of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, including the recent emergence of tick-borne pathogens, and she can explain the latest research for your viewers in plain language, not jargon.
Dr. Diuk-Wasser can speak about:
- Tick-borne disease basics, such as which tick-borne diseases are found in the U.S., which tick species carry them, and data on the rising prevalence of both ticks and tick-borne disease;
- Which ticks are expanding their ranges, including blacklegged ticks (which carry Lyme disease), and lone star ticks (which can trigger meat allergies in people) and the reasons why ticks are spreading, including climate change, land use changes, and human behavior;
- Her research on how risk of getting infected by a tick depends on where you live (including in the city), what activities you do, and where you travel; and tips for precautions and what to do if you find a tick.
