Latest news with #Molaei
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Emerging tick species in CT found to carry rare bacteria that can be deadly, officials say
An invasive tick species in Connecticut has been found to carry the bacteria that can cause ehrlichiosis in humans, a discovery that has alarmed state biologists as the tick continues to increase its spread throughout the state. Longhorned ticks, an emerging invasive species in the state, have now been found to carry the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. The bacteria, while rare in Connecticut, has been found in the state for a while, according to Dr. Goudarz Molaei, a state entomologist with the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station. Between 2001 and 2019, the number of cases of the bacteria increased from 142 to 2,093, a roughly 15-fold rise. Only two erlichiosis cases were recorded in Connecticut between 2008 and 2018, however, 28 cases were reported in the state between 2019 and 2023, according to CAES data. 'This is concerning because before we only saw this bacteria present in the lone star tick, this is the first case detected in the longhorned tick,' Molaei said. 'What is concerning about this is that the longhorned tick doesn't need a mate to reproduce. So it has the potential to spread quickly and we already are seeing that as its population increases.' Longhorned ticks primarily reproduce through a process called parthenogenesis, where females can lay viable eggs without mating to reproduce. This means a single female tick can create an entire population without a male partner, increasing the risks of rapid spread, Molaei said. 'This is very unusual and something we don't see too often,' Molaei said. 'So far this is the only tick in the United States that has this ability to reproduce without a mate. In other animals like arthropods and certain vertebrae, parthenogenesis has been reported, but it's still very rare.' Molaei said that a rise in ehrlichiosis cases is expected in the future. The bacterial infection can be a serious illness, though most cases are not fatal with prompt treatment. Untreated, it can lead to severe complications like organ damage, brain problems and even death. There is no vaccine available, but antibiotics are the traditional course of treatment, he said. The invasive ticks are not native to the United States and are considered an exotic species. They originally were found in tropical environments in Asia before being detected in the U.S. in 2017. Since its initial discovery, the longhorned tick has expanded into at least 21 states, primarily in the East and Northeast, as well as the District of Columbia, according to CAES. The species was first detected in Connecticut in 2018. In both its native and invasive range, the longhorned tick is known to transmit a wide variety of pathogens, Molaei said. Researchers have found evidence of infection in field-collected specimens in the U.S. with pathogens that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Bourbon virus disease and theileriosis. However, it is still unknown if the tick can spread many of these disease agents. 'What is also unusual about this species is that we have shown this tick is capable of attaching and detaching with partial blood feeding,' Molaei said. 'Most ticks will stay on a host until they are fully engorged, so this increases the risks of disease transmission. Unfortunately these ticks co-exist with lone star ticks, and to make the matter worse, both of these ticks feed on white tail deer. Deer can act as a reservoir for the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. Longhorned ticks can pick up the bacteria after feeding on an infected deer.' The tick species is now found scattered throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties, according Molaei. However, their range is expected to increase its range further northward. Last year, the ticks were identified in Fairfield, New London, Middlesex and New Haven counties, according to data from CAES. 'As the climate changes, we expect to see this species further north into New England and Canada,' Molaei said. 'We are fortunate that. at least for the time being, the population is rather patchy in Fairfield and New Haven counties. It is not widespread yet, but eventually it will become more widespread, and that is where the concern increases.' Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A spike in tick-borne diseases expected to be higher in CT this summer, experts say. Here's why.
If you're thinking about being in the woods this summer, experts are warning to stay alert for ticks, as this year may see a spike in tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. The reason? Acorns. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is reporting a significant increase in acorn abundance that occurred last fall as compared to past years, a phenomenon referred to as either a 'mast year' or 'bumper crop year,' officials said. Nearly 87% of all red oaks in the study were documented with acorns compared to a historical average of 57%. Recent bumper crop years occurred in red oaks in 2016 and 2019, and in 2015 for white oaks. 'A bumper crop can drive several ecological processes in our forests, such as the opportunity to help maintain and perpetuate declining oak populations while providing a nutritious food source to sustain wildlife populations throughout the winter months,' said Joseph Barsky, the lead forest researcher for the study. While scientists aren't quite sure why bumper crop years occur in oak trees, the phenomenon has a direct impact on wildlife such as rodents and deer. Mice, a common carrier of Lyme disease and a well-known host for ticks, can often see their populations multiply with an abundance of acorns. The acorns act as an important food source for them over winter, according to experts at the CAES. Some mice have been found to harbor over 200 ticks, with an average of about 23 ticks per mouse, according to experts. 'Masting events can also lead to higher rodent populations, which serve as primary reservoir hosts for numerous human pathogens including the bacteria that causes Lyme disease,' said Dr. Scott Williams, chief scientist for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Science and Forestry. Dr. Goudarz Molaei, head of the tick testing program at CAES, said that it is likely that the state will see a higher number of ticks infested with Lyme due to the increased acorn production. However, those numbers aren't yet available to compare over previous years. 'The year after increased acorn production, we will see a lot of ticks feeding on rodents,' Molaei said. 'Those ticks are in the larvae stage, as they don't yet feed on humans. So when they feed on those rodents, they will then be able to pick up more pathogen load including Lyme disease. We may see a higher prevalence this year, but we don't yet have the data. I would advise people to be cautious and if bitten by a tick, to get that tick tested.' Molaei said current testing shows the black legged tick population, the most common vector of Lyme disease, to be around 50% infected with Lyme disease. Those numbers could climb as more tick larvae mature over the next few months. 'Mice are excellent vectors of disease,' Molaei said. 'They are common carriers for multiple pathogens that the ticks then carry and spread.' Thomas Worthley, UConn forestry and extension educator, said that scientists aren't quite sure why mast years occur, but they seem to happen after extreme negative climate or environmental impacts. Mast year occurrences vary by species and seem to be common among oak trees. 'If you go back to 2015, 2016 time frame, we had the spongy moth that was contributing to widespread deforestation,' Worthley said. 'That's when we had the last bumper crop season and we saw an increased level of acorn production. So there is a theory that they can occur after some type of impact to trees. It is believed weather and soil play a role as well.' Worthley said that mast seasons remain a poorly understood phenomenon because scientists can't replicate the amount of variables that may be responsible for them including weather, climate, soil, chemicals and external factors. 'There's a lot of reasons why they may occur,' Worthley said. 'The most common are climate and weather changes and soil changes over time. They seem to occur more in red oaks than white oaks, but there's a lot of variability there. Some oaks produce a lot more acorns than other oaks, but there is a noticeable impact on animals including rodents and deer. Those populations often will increase due to the acorn abundance. In turn, you also see a growing population of predatory birds that feed on those populations.' Molaei said that anyone who is going into the woods this summer should take precautions including wearing pants and long sleeved shirts and using protection including tick spray. Anyone who experiences a tick bite should monitor their symptoms and send it to their municipal health department. The CAES performs all tick testing in the state. 'It's important to get that tick tested if you begin to experience symptoms, so that we know exactly what you may have,' Molaei said. 'There's an increased prevalence of many different types of tick-borne diseases including babesiosis and other viral diseases. So it's not just Lyme disease that we are seeing in higher prevalence. We urge everyone to take tick precautions seriously.' Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tick season 2025: What to know as disease risk rises
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — For those looking to go outside and enjoy a beautiful spring day, keep in mind that Connecticut is attracting more and more ticks, and those ticks are carrying more and more diseases. April and May are among the busiest months for scientists who study ticks. At the state Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, the mail is full of them, and the news is not good. Invasive ticks spread across more Connecticut counties 'We are seeing new tick species coming up to our shore,' said Dr. Goudarz Molaei, a research scientist at the Agricultural Experiment Station. 'We are seeing newer disease agents also starting.' They study each tick, looking for those diseases and they are finding them in about half. 'At least 50% of black legged ticks, or deer ticks, are infected with at least one disease agent. We are seeing about 30% of deer ticks to be infected with Lyme disease,' Molaei said. They are also finding ticks with babesiosis, relapsing tick fever, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. For years, experts advised to check for ticks after spending time outside. That's still good advice, but there is a new virus that is becoming more and more prevalent in ticks in Connecticut. It's called the Powassan virus, and people can be infected much faster compared to other diseases. DEEP urges residents to take down bird feeders ahead of bear season 'That disease agent can be transmitted in less than an hour, unlike other tick borne pathogens such as Lyme disease and babesiosis that takes 24 or longer,' said Dr. Molaei Powassan virus killed at least two people in the New Haven area last year. Climate change means some ticks are active all year long, and more ticks can survive here. 'In the past few years, we have seen all these invasive tick species land on our shores and then moving forward, moving forward north,' Moulaei said. 'Yes, the outcome doesn't look that good.' The best advice: Wear light colored clothing and spray both clothes and skin with insect repellent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
