The prevalence of Lyme disease was historically thought to be influenced by three factors: deer populations, white-footed mouse populations and weather extremes. What we thought has been updated by a 35-year Lyme disease ecology study that also helps improve disease forecasting. Most notable:
- Deer populations are not statistically correlated with variation in Lyme disease prevalence; culling deer is unlikely to have any impact on ticks and exposure risk.
- White-footed mouse populations DO impact the risk of Lyme disease.
- Acorn masting increases white-footed mouse populations the following year and subsequently Lyme disease risk two years after the masting event.
- Temperature extremes do not decrease Lyme prevalence as previously thought, although rising temperatures can move tick questing activities seasonally.
Source: AAHA Trends, September 25, 2026. Link.
It turns out that the abundance and infection prevalence of ticks – which are the main risk factors for human and pet exposures – is determined by the entire community of host animals in the habitat.” – Richard Ostfeld, PhD
Image: Link.
Leave a Reply