Report: Ticks, Risk Of Lyme Disease Are Rapidly Increasing
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A new report states the risk of Lyme disease is rapidly growing.
Minnesota is one of 17 that carry the highest risk for Lyme disease in the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there are more high-risk areas in Minnesota than before.
The study found that the disease has increased more than 300-percent in areas along the east coast.
It also said the disease is appearing in states where it's never been recorded before.
As for why, researchers said ticks tend to live in densely-forested areas where mice are their main predator.
But forest clearing has killed off the mice, leaving ticks without a predator to keep them in check.
They also cite warmer temperatures for spreading ticks outside of their normal environments.
For more information about Lyme disease and how to prevent it, visit the Minnesota Department of Health online.
