Tick Populations Expand, Bringing New Disease Concerns

Why it matters locally: The expansion of tick populations and the diseases they carry could impact public health across Oklahoma, as areas previously unaffected by certain tick-borne illnesses may now face new risks.

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Ticks are expanding their geographic range, introducing new public health concerns, according to Holly Gaff, a mathematical ecologist at Old Dominion University. While certain areas of the country have long dealt with tick populations, researchers now observe them in previously unaffected regions. The expansion of tick habitats brings with it new threats. Gaff, who studies tick ecology, noted these changes during a discussion with William Brangham concerning the parasites' broader distribution. Scientists continue to monitor these developments to understand the full scope of the expanded tick presence and the associated health implications.