Tick Biologist Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife Mosquito Control Wilmington, Delaware
Ticks and their associated diseases constitute a threat not only to human health, but to the health of domestic dogs, cats, and other companion animals. To assess which ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose the greatest risk to companion animals in Delaware, we established a statewide passive surveillance program wherein participating veterinary clinics and individual pet owners contributed ticks removed from animals in their care. Between 2019-2023, program participants throughout the state contributed over 1,500 ticks from 524 individual host animals. Submitted ticks represent 9 tick species (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes scapularis, A. maculatum, I. texanus, D. albipictus, H. leporispalustris, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and 7 host species (dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, a raccoon, a Virginia opossum, and a ferret). A subset representing approximately 20% of submitted ticks were tested for pathogens of medical and veterinary interest. We present herein our findings pertaining to tick infestation rates, distribution, phenology, and pathogen infection rates.
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