• Warming winters are expanding tick habitats across Maine, increasing Lyme disease risk.
• MaineHealth researchers are studying why some Lyme patients don't fully recover after treatment.
• Preventative measures, including personal and pet protection, are crucial to mitigate tick-borne illness.

Maine is grappling with a significant increase in tick populations due to climate change, specifically milder winters. This has led to an expansion of tick habitats across the state, raising concerns about the rising incidence of Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and even the potentially fatal Powassan virus. Researchers are actively monitoring tick populations, studying disease transmission, and seeking to improve treatment outcomes for Lyme disease patients. Public health officials are urging residents and visitors to take preventative measures to protect themselves and their pets from tick bites.

• What: Increased tick populations and expansion of tick habitats in Maine, leading to a higher risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
• Who: MaineHealth's Vector-Borne Disease Lab, Maine CDC, vector ecologists like Chuck Lubelczyk, researchers like Rebecca Robich and Dr. Rob Smith, landowners, and the general public.
• When: Ongoing, with increased activity during warmer months and extending into December. Lyme Disease Awareness Month is in May.
• Where: Statewide, with deer ticks established in every county except Aroostook. Focus on Southern Maine and Scarborough.

The convergence of multiple news sources paints a concerning picture of the escalating tick problem in Maine. The consensus is that warming winters are enabling ticks to thrive and expand their range, posing a significant public health threat. The focus on research into Lyme disease treatment and the monitoring of emerging tick species highlights the proactive efforts to understand and combat the issue. However, the repeated emphasis on preventative measures underscores the importance of individual responsibility in mitigating the risk of tick-borne illnesses.

This year, we actually had very little snow on the ground throughout much of southern Maine, especially when the ticks would be emerging in March, so when they did get going, right around the first week of March or so, they kind of came out of the door pretty strong.

Every landowner that has ticks on their property and is not doing something to knock those ticks back are essentially helping the tick population to grow in their area.

In addition to protecting yourself, protect your dogs and cats, because they will get ticks on them just as much as you will

Maine's vulnerability to tick-borne diseases is escalating, evidenced by a record surge in Lyme disease cases, with the Midcoast and Down East regions emerging as new epicenters. Climate change, while not the sole driver, contributes to the expanding range and activity of deer ticks, lengthening the season for potential transmission. The increase in nymph-stage ticks, which are harder to detect and more likely to transmit Lyme disease, further complicates the issue. While Lyme disease cases have surged, other tick-borne illnesses like anaplasmosis and babesiosis have experienced slight declines, demanding a nuanced approach to prevention and treatment. Research efforts, bolstered by federal grants, are crucial to understanding tick population dynamics, identifying emerging species like the Lone Star tick and Asian long-horned tick, and developing effective control strategies. Concurrent with these efforts, ongoing public education and awareness initiatives, promoting preventative measures such as protective clothing, EPA-approved repellents, and thorough tick checks, remain vital. Furthermore, healthcare providers and the public should stay informed about the signs and symptoms of tick-borne illnesses and treatment options, as early detection and intervention are critical to mitigating long-term health consequences.