It is challenging for scientists to determine how climate change will affect species in the future, but they can make some predictions. It has been observed that deer tick populations are gradually increasing over the years. Many areas are becoming more suitable for deer ticks to live in due to climate change. As a result of this, deer tick populations are increasing over time.
Deer Tick Migration
As stated previously, many areas are becoming more suitable for deer ticks to survive in. This causes them to migrate to these areas. And because deer ticks thrive in warmer climates, their numbers are increasing at a unbelievable rate.
How will this affect humans?
Deer tick migration could potentially harm ecosystems, and it could also be a danger to humans. Deer ticks are well known to carry Lyme disease. Due to the population increase, more humans are becoming infected with this disease. In the 1980’s there were approximately 1,500 cases of Lyme disease that were reported annually in the United States. Today that number has skyrocketed to over 30,000 reported cases. The figure below shows the number of Lyme disease cases in the United States throughout the year. It shows that Lyme disease cases are more prevalent during the warmer months in the year. However, as temperatures increase, the deer ticks will become active earlier in the year. This will cause the number of Lyme disease cases to increase during the cooler parts of the year.
“RptdMthOfillness” by Center for Disease Control under CC by 2.o
What exactly is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is primarily transmitted by deer ticks. The deer ticks carry around a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Some general symptoms of Lyme disease are:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
- Rash (Only 70% of the time)
The disease often imitates other diseases and conditions. Generally the disease can affect organs within the body such as the brain, nervous system, muscles, joints, and the heart. Since Lyme disease mimics many other conditions, this can delay diagnosis and proper treatment for the disease. Many times the disease progresses a lot before the patient can receive proper treatment. The diagram below shows the general life cycle of a deer tick.
“Deer Tick life cycle” by Philg88 under CC by 2.o
How do deer ticks transmit this disease?
Again, some deer ticks carry a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdoferi. This bacterium is the main cause of the disease. Deer ticks transmit the disease by biting a host. The longer the tick stays attached, the more likely they are to transmit the disease. Most people get Lyme disease from Nymphs, or deer ticks at their immature stage. Nymphs are extremely small, so many people do not even notice when they have been bitten.
“Deer tick Ixodes scapularis” by Center for Disease Control under CC by 2.o
The Late Stages of the Disease
If not caught early enough, the disease will progress and symptoms will continue on for months or even years. These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable or painful for people with the disease. Even with treatment, the symptoms of the disease at this stage will persist.
“Juvenile Deer Ticks” by NIAID under CC by 2.o
Although Lyme disease may not be fatal, it is still a very painful disease and it is not easy to live with. Climate change is a serious issue around the world. It is important that we think about the future of our planet and how future generations will be impacted by climate change. If tick population continue to increase, then what will that mean for us in the future? We need to be asking these questions and trying to resolve these issues instead of sweeping them under the rug.
Simone McEwan 
Leave a comment