Dogs Help Track Lyme Disease Risk in West Virginia
Dogs may help identify areas at high risk for Lyme disease.
Veterinary tick surveillance tracked hundreds of infected ticks in West Virginia.
Researchers found dogs were effective sentinel animals for monitoring human exposure risk.
Researchers have conducted numerous animal sentinel studies to monitor the occurrence and spread of Lyme disease.
“These studies primarily focused on ticks and associated pathogens collected from domestic dogs because of their ability to produce antibodies to B. burgdorferi, attainable travel history information, and frequency of outdoor exposure,” says Hendricks. [1]
Hendricks’ team looked at confirmed Lyme disease cases and ticks submitted by 62 veterinarian practices to the West Virginia State Health Department between 2014 and 2016. [1]
They found 1,305 Ixodes scapularis ticks were removed from dogs, compared with 363 from cats. [1]
Why Are Dogs Useful for Lyme Disease Surveillance?
The authors concluded that only dogs were effective sentinel populations for monitoring risks of human exposure to Lyme disease.
Dogs are frequently exposed to outdoor environments where ticks carrying Borrelia burgdorferi are present. Their canine tick exposure patterns may therefore help identify emerging Lyme disease risk areas before broader human surveillance data become available.
West Virginia No Longer a Low-Incidence State
West Virginia can no longer consider itself a low-incidence Lyme disease state, the authors point out.
“States which have high incidence status have had ≥10 confirmed cases of Lyme disease per 100,000 persons for the last three reporting years (CDC, 2017),” writes Hendricks. [1]
“In 2017, West Virginia met this criterion based on 2014 to 2016 human surveillance data.” [1]
Tracking tick exposure in dogs may become increasingly important as Lyme disease expands geographically.
Clinical Perspective
Veterinary surveillance using companion animals may provide an early warning system for emerging Lyme disease risk.
Because dogs spend significant time outdoors and frequently encounter ticks, monitoring canine tick exposure may help public health officials identify high-risk regions earlier.
These findings also highlight the importance of tick prevention strategies for both pets and their owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs help identify Lyme disease risk?
Yes. Researchers use dogs as sentinel animals because they are commonly exposed to ticks and may help identify areas where Lyme disease is spreading. [1]
What ticks were found on dogs in West Virginia?
The study primarily identified Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the blacklegged tick or deer tick. [1]
Why is Lyme disease increasing in West Virginia?
The authors noted that changing ecology, expanding tick populations, and increasing human exposure may be contributing to rising Lyme disease incidence. [1]
Related Articles:
- How to test for Lyme disease using a tick
- Cats carry all types of ticks and tick-borne diseases
- The risk of a tick bite for pet owners
- Using dogs to map Lyme disease
References:
- Hendricks B, Mark-Carew M, Conley J. Evaluating the utility of companion animal tick surveillance practices for monitoring spread and occurrence of human Lyme disease in West Virginia, 2014-2016. Geospat Health. 2017;12(2):582.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
