tick on a saltator by Stylurus

A new Yale study suggests that birds are playing a significant role in spreading Lyme disease over long distances.

Basically, birds act as an intermediary host. Once a bird has Lyme disease, other ticks that feed on it can also become infected. These infected ticks can then spread the disease to other animals and possibly humans.

Researchers analyzed published records and concluded that at least 70 species of North American birds are susceptible to infection by black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), the principal vector of the Lyme disease bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi). The evidence also suggests that these bird species are dispersing infected ticks into areas that had previously been free of the disease, such as Canada.

Black-legged ticks are sometimes referred to as deer ticks. It’s also important to note that this study did not determine if the same strains of Lyme disease that affects birds will also affect humans.

Lyme disease can cause severe health problems, including arthritis, nervous system abnormalities and irregular heart rhythm. It is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, with the number of reported human infections doubling between 1992 and 2006.

So moral of this story, remember to check for ticks when out birding!

[Birds Play an Important Role in the Spread of Lyme Disease, Yale Study Finds]