UW Vet Med study zeroes in on tick ecology and Lyme risk

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A University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine researcher is studying blacklegged ticks to better understand the ecology that drives Lyme disease transmission and to identify more effective control strategies, according to dvm360’s report on the work. Additional UW Vet Med materials show the research is part of a broader vector-borne disease effort in Madison, including bloodmeal analysis of field-collected ticks to identify the host species helping maintain tick populations. That matters as blacklegged ticks continue to expand their range, and Lyme disease remains the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S. (vetmed.wisc.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the study reinforces a practical message already familiar in the exam room: tick risk is no longer confined to a short seasonal window or a narrow geography. UW Vet Med has advised that some tick species can become active whenever temperatures rise above freezing, supporting year-round prevention, while CAPC guidance for dogs in endemic or emerging areas also emphasizes year-round acaricides and, when appropriate, Lyme vaccination. For practices, that means client education, screening, prevention compliance, and local risk communication remain central to both animal and One Health care. (vetmed.wisc.edu)

What to watch: Watch for published data from the Wisconsin group on host patterns, tick ecology, or field-control implications that could sharpen regional prevention recommendations. (vetmed.wisc.edu)