Rainfall Boosts Diseased Tick Population in Okla.
Pastor Dale Morgan
Jun 14, 3:51 PM EDT
*Rainfall Boosts Diseased Tick Population in Okla.*
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Abundant rainfall has increased the population of
ticks in Oklahoma this year, meaning more people are likely to catch
diseases from the bloodsucking insect.
In 2006, widespread drought and wildfires kept the tick population at
one of the lowest levels in recent years, but this year more ticks are
showing up in central and south-central Oklahoma, said Justin Talley, a
livestock entomologist at Oklahoma State University.
"Basically, with the continued moisture, it's inevitable that we're
going to have more ticks," Talley said.
Ticks are second only to mosquitoes when it comes to spreading disease
to humans. Species known to be disease carriers seem to be faring well
this year, Talley said.
One, the American dog tick, is doing especially well in the state's
central parts. Another, the Lone Star tick, seems to be evenly
distributed across Oklahoma, Talley said.
Those ticks are dangerous because of their lifestyle, which often begins
on the backs of small rodents. As ticks grow, they seek larger animals
such as raccoons and opossums.
Later, they seek larger animals such as dogs, deer and humans. Ticks are
at that life stage about now, Talley said.
Some tick-borne illnesses, especially Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are
more common in Oklahoma than in other states, while others, especially
Lyme disease, are much less common, said Laurence Burnsed, director of
the state Health Department's communicable disease division.
Between 2000 and 2005, the number of reported cases of Rocky Mountain
spotted fever rose from fewer than 40 to more than 200, according to
department statistics. In 2006, the number of reported cases dropped for
the first time since 1999 with only 133 reported.
Although it is too early to tell whether the number of reported cases
will rise this year, Burnsed said the rise in tick population doesn't
bode well. The disease typically peaks in June.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com