Binghamton Research Days Student Presentations
Risk of Tick-borne Infection: Comparison of Residential Living Areas on the Binghamton University campus with State and County Parks in the Southern Tier of New York
Risk of Tick-borne Infection: Comparison of Residential Living Areas on the Binghamton University campus with State and County Parks in the Southern Tier of New York
Authors: Youyu Zhang , Masami Kanyuk, John Ferrara, Aiesha Usmani, Robert Johnson, Amanda Roome, Ralph Garruto
Authors: Youyu Zhang , Masami Kanyuk, John Ferrara, Aiesha Usmani, Robert Johnson, Amanda Roome, Ralph Garruto
Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Affiliation: Tick-borne Disease Research Center
Affiliation: Tick-borne Disease Research Center
Mentor: Ralph Garruto, Anthropology
Mentor: Ralph Garruto, Anthropology
Abstract
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases represent a key threat to public health in the Northeasten and Midwestern United States. The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) carries several pathogens that can be transmitted to humans and other mammals, primarily Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilium, and Babesia Microti. The objective of this research is to compare well-traveled walkways in residential living areas on the Binghamton University campus to the Nature Preserve and State/County Parks in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin of New York. Tick density, tick infectivity, and rodent density along walkways and trails in campus residential areas and parks will be compared to assess ecological risk of infection for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
Tick-borne diseases represent a key threat to public health in the Northeasten and Midwestern United States. The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) carries several pathogens that can be transmitted to humans and other mammals, primarily Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilium, and Babesia Microti. The objective of this research is to compare well-traveled walkways in residential living areas on the Binghamton University campus to the Nature Preserve and State/County Parks in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin of New York. Tick density, tick infectivity, and rodent density along walkways and trails in campus residential areas and parks will be compared to assess ecological risk of infection for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.