Ticks carrying Lyme disease are gaining ground in North Carolina, study finds

Key Points:

• Research led by UNC reveals that blacklegged ticks, which transmit Lyme disease, are increasingly prevalent in western North Carolina, with infection rates comparable to those in the Northeast, a region historically associated with tickborne illnesses.
• A study in Biltmore Forest, Buncombe County, found that 40% of adult blacklegged ticks carried Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria causing Lyme disease, highlighting a significant health risk within residential communities near wooded areas.
• Besides Lyme disease, ticks in the area were also found to carry bacteria linked to anaplasmosis and hard tick relapsing fever, marking a potential southward expansion of these pathogens into North Carolina.
• Experts urge increased caution for outdoor activities, recommending use of repellents, frequent tick checks, and maintaining short grass to reduce tick exposure, noting that prompt removal of ticks within 24-36 hours can prevent infection.
• In response to rising cases, ten western North Carolina counties now recommend a single dose of antibiotics within 72 hours after a tick bite, and veterinarians are encouraging Lyme disease vaccinations for animals.