Abstract

Lyme disease is an emerging problem of high concern in the Northeastern United States, with a remarkably high incidence in Broome County. Lyme is caused by the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi whose natural reservoir host is the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. This pathogen is transmitted to humans and other mammals via the bite of an infected deer tick, Ixodes scapularis. Risk of Lyme is often associated with time spent in nature, making the Nature Preserve an excellent natural experimental model for studying behaviors related to infection risk. Between 2013-2015, undergraduate student researchers observed the risk behaviors of individuals on Nature Preserve Trails and recorded environmental conditions present during the observation periods. Between 2011-2016, researchers collected deer ticks by dragging a corduroy cloth (1m2) along the edges of Nature Preserve trails to obtain ticks and identify B. burgdorferi molecularly. By determining the density of infected ticks, coupled with environmental and human behavioral risk factors of Nature Preserve visitors, a multivariable model is being created to better understand the complex interactions that result in exposure to Lyme carrying ticks. Our research team is focused on understanding the trails that are most risky, and the frequency of individuals with clothing and/or behavioral risk in relation to the time of day, day of the week, temperature, and weather conditions. This study will establish a baseline understanding of choices made by individuals entering the Nature Preserve, a perceived high-risk area, which can be compared to pedestrians traveling on walkways in more built areas of Campus.