2018 New Jersey Tick Blitz

Incidence of tick-borne disease (TBD) in the northeastern states is increasing. New pathogens have been identified and vector distributions appear to be expanding. Unfortunately, due to funding challenges the information and expertise needed to assess risk, inform the public and act proactively is dramatically lacking.

After consulting members of the NJ mosquito control program, which in New Jersey is comprised of independent agencies in each of the 21 counties, we are confident that reliable and critical baseline tick surveillance data can be obtained by mobilizing and training existing personnel. Mosquito control professionals have a high level of expertise in surveillance and in many cases, a strong desire to learn more about ticks.

For this proof-of-concept project, we will focus primarily on the distribution of Dermacentor variabilis, the American dog tick, although all specimens will be identified and tallied.

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