Disease-Ridden Ticks May Hitch Rides into the United States on Migratory Birds

Most people are aware that ticks carry diseases. But did you know that these diseases can spread thousands of miles? Scientists have found that pathogen-carrying ticks hitch rides on migratory birds into the United States.

In this latest study, the researchers examined thousands of migratory birds that had just arrived in the United States, after having flown from Central or South America. They found that ticks were actually present on these species-though the ticks have yet to establish themselves in the United States.

"It takes the right combination of biotic and abiotic features for the neotropical ticks to survive, reproduce and spread," said Sarah A. Hamer, one of the researchers in a news release.

The ticks typically take their first and second blood meals on birds. However, once they become adults they see out large mammals such as sloths or anteaters. These mammals, though, are not present in the United States. However, it's possible that these insects could evolve to prefer other species.

The more general danger, though, is the changing climate, or changes in other environmental conditions. The warmer temperatures could change the ranges of potential hosts of ticks. This, in turn, could allow disease-carrying ticks to establish themselves.

The researchers suggest that studies should be undertaken to assess the likelihood of such an occurrence. This could reveal a bit more about the species and also show whether or not climate change could cause the spread of certain diseases carried by ticks, such as heartwater disease.

The findings are published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

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