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Lippi CA, Gaff HD, White AL, Ryan SJ. Assessing the value and knowledge gains from an online tick identification and tick-borne disease management course for the Southeastern United States. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1793. [PMID: 38970066 PMCID: PMC11225117 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19307-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne diseases are a growing public health threat in the United States. Despite the prevalence and rising burden of tick-borne diseases, there are major gaps in baseline knowledge and surveillance efforts for tick vectors, even among vector control districts and public health agencies. To address this issue, an online tick training course (OTTC) was developed through the Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (SECOEVBD) to provide a comprehensive knowledge base on ticks, tick-borne diseases, and their management. METHODS The OTTC consisted of training modules covering topics including tick biology, tick identification, tick-borne diseases, and public health, personal tick safety, and tick surveillance. The course was largely promoted to vector control specialists and public health employees throughout the Southeastern US. We collected assessment and survey data on participants to gauge learning outcomes, perceptions of the utility of knowledge gained, and barriers and facilitators to applying the knowledge in the field. RESULTS The OTTC was successful in increasing participants' baseline knowledge across all course subject areas, with the average score on assessment increasing from 62.6% (pre-course) to 86.7% (post-course). More than half of participants (63.6%) indicated that they would definitely use information from the course in their work. Barriers to using information identified in the delayed assessment included lack of opportunities to apply skills (18.5%) and the need for additional specialized training beyond what the OTTC currently offers (18.5%), while the main facilitator (70.4%) for applying knowledge was having opportunities at work, such as an existing tick surveillance program. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this OTTC demonstrated capacity to improve knowledge in a necessary and underserved public health field, and more than half of participants use or plan to use the information in their work. The geographic reach of this online resource was much larger than simply for the Southeastern region for which it was designed, suggesting a much broader need for this resource. Understanding the utility and penetrance of training programs such as these is important for refining materials and assessing optimal targets for training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Lippi
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab Group, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Holly D Gaff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Alexis L White
- Vector-borne Disease Eco-epidemiology and Control Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Sadie J Ryan
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab Group, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Harman PR, Mendell NL, Harman MM, Draney PA, Boyle AT, Gompper ME, Orr TJ, Bouyer DH, Teel PD, Hanley KA. Science abhors a surveillance vacuum: Detection of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in southern New Mexico through passive surveillance. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0292573. [PMID: 38295027 PMCID: PMC10830002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Robust tick surveillance enhances diagnosis and prevention of tick-borne pathogens, yet surveillance efforts in the United States are highly uneven, resulting in large surveillance vacuums, one of which spans the state of New Mexico. As part of a larger effort to fill this vacuum, we conducted both active and passive tick sampling in New Mexico, focusing on the southern portion of the state. We conducted active tick sampling using dragging and CO₂ trapping at 45 sites across Hidalgo, Doña Ana, Otero, and Eddy counties between June 2021 to May 2022. Sampling occurred intermittently, with at least one sampling event each month from June to October 2021, pausing in winter and resuming in March through May 2022. We also conducted opportunistic, passive tick sampling in 2021 and 2022 from animals harvested by hunters or captured or collected by researchers and animals housed in animal hospitals, shelters, and farms. All pools of ticks were screened for Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Active sampling yielded no ticks. Passive sampling yielded 497 ticks comprising Carios kelleyi from pallid bats, Rhipicephalus sanguineus from dogs, mule deer, and Rocky Mountain elk, Otobius megnini from dogs, cats, horses, and Coues deer, Dermacentor parumapertus from dogs and black-tailed jackrabbits, Dermacentor albipictus from domesticated cats, mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk, and Dermacentor spp. from American black bear, Rocky Mountain elk, and mule deer. One pool of D. parumapterus from a black-tailed jackrabbit in Luna County tested positive for R. parkeri, an agent of spotted fever rickettsiosis. Additionally, a spotted fever group Rickettsia was detected in 6 of 7 C. kelleyi pools. Two ticks showed morphological abnormalities; however, these samples did not test positive for any of the target pathogens, and the cause of the abnormalities is unknown. Passive surveillance yielded five identified species of ticks from three domestic and six wild mammal species. Our findings update tick distributions and inform the public, medical, and veterinary communities of the potential tick-borne pathogens present in southern New Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige R. Harman
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Nicole L. Mendell
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Maysee M. Harman
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Puck A. Draney
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Anna T. Boyle
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Matthew E. Gompper
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Teri J. Orr
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Donald H. Bouyer
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pete D. Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kathryn A. Hanley
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
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Chakraborty S, Steckler TL, Gronemeyer P, Mateus-Pinilla N, Smith RL. Farmers' Knowledge and Practices About Ticks and Tickborne Diseases in Illinois. J Agromedicine 2023; 28:756-768. [PMID: 37017439 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2023.2199003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tickborne diseases (TBDs) in Illinois have increased in recent years. A growing body of literature indicates that the risk of exposure to ticks and tickborne diseases is higher among outdoor workers, including farmers. However, information is lacking on awareness of ticks and tickborne diseases among this demographic. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and awareness among Illinois farmers regarding ticks and tickborne diseases. METHODS A Knowledge, Attitudes & Prevention practices (KAP) survey was developed and administered to capture information regarding farmers' knowledge and attitudes about ticks and TBDs. Tick drags were conducted on a subset of properties as an incentive to complete the survey and to compare farmers' knowledge or expectations of ticks on their land with ticks collected. RESULTS Fifty farmers participated in the survey, and 17 allowed tick drags. Only 60% of respondents had at least moderate knowledge about ticks gained through family and friends (56%), medical and healthcare personnel (48%), and the internet (44%). Responses varied by the type of commodity produced by the farmer. Fifty percent of participants reported knowledge about the blacklegged tick, 34% for the American dog tick, and 42% for the lone star tick; this knowledge also varied by farm type. Most farmers (54%) agreed that preventative behaviors could protect against tickborne diseases. Self-reported knowledge was significantly and directly associated with knowledge scores (p < .001). CONCLUSION Knowledge of ticks and TBDs was lower among crop farmers than beef or mixed commodity farmers, but farmers generally have moderate knowledge of tick species in Illinois. Many participants expressed low concern over contracting a TBD, but many were also dissatisfied with the level of tick prevention measures that they follow. These results can be utilized to fill in knowledge gaps and develop informational materials to help farmers protect themselves against ticks and TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulagna Chakraborty
- Program in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology (PEEC); University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Teresa L Steckler
- Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, University of Illinois Extension, Simpson, IL, USA
| | - Peg Gronemeyer
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign; Illinois Natural History Survey-Prairie Research Institute, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Nohra Mateus-Pinilla
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, Illinois Natural History Survey-Prairie Research Institute, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca Lee Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, USA
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Kache PA, Bron GM, Zapata-Ramirez S, Tsao JI, Bartholomay LC, Paskewitz SM, Diuk-Wasser MA, Fernandez MDP. Evaluating spatial and temporal patterns of tick exposure in the United States using community science data submitted through a smartphone application. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102163. [PMID: 37001417 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Research initiatives that engage the public (i.e., community science or citizen science) increasingly provide insights into tick exposures in the United States. However, these data have important caveats, particularly with respect to reported travel history and tick identification. Here, we assessed whether a smartphone application, The Tick App, provides reliable and novel insights into tick exposures across three domains - travel history, broad spatial and temporal patterns of species-specific encounters, and tick identification. During 2019-2021, we received 11,424 tick encounter submissions from across the United States, with nearly all generated in the Midwest and Northeast regions. Encounters were predominantly with human hosts (71%); although one-fourth of ticks were found on animals. Half of the encounters (51%) consisted of self-reported peri‑domestic exposures, while 37% consisted of self-reported recreational exposures. Using phone-based location services, we detected differences in travel history outside of the users' county of residence along an urbanicity gradient. Approximately 75% of users from large metropolitan and rural counties had travel out-of-county in the four days prior to tick detection, whereas an estimated 50-60% of users from smaller metropolitan areas did. Furthermore, we generated tick encounter maps for Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis that partially accounted for travel history and overall mirrored previously published species distributions. Finally, we evaluated whether a streamlined three-question sequence (on tick size, feeding status, and color) would inform a simple algorithm to optimize image-based tick identification. Visual aides of tick coloration and size engaged and guided users towards species and life stage classification moderately well, with 56% of one-time submitters correctly selecting photos of D. variabilis adults and 76% of frequent-submitters correctly selecting photos of D. variabilis adults. Together, these results indicate the importance of bolstering the use of smartphone applications to engage community scientists and complement other active and passive tick surveillance systems.
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Carson DA, Kopsco H, Gronemeyer P, Mateus-Pinilla N, Smith GS, Sandstrom EN, Smith RL. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Illinois medical professionals related to ticks and tick-borne disease. One Health 2022; 15:100424. [PMID: 36277108 PMCID: PMC9582564 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The rising incidence of tick-borne disease (TBD) underscores the importance of proficiency in TBD diagnosis. Clinicians' knowledge about vector ticks and TBDs in their area may influence whether patients are questioned about potential tick exposure and the consideration of diagnostic testing for TBDs. Objective Our objective was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Illinois clinicians towards ticks and TBDs. The study aimed to 1) identify predictors associated with knowledge, 2) identify knowledge gaps, and 3) evaluate attitudes and practices related to TBDs. Methods A web-based knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey about Illinois ticks and TBDs was disseminated to physicians, mid-level practitioners, and nurses between August 2020 and February 2022. Poisson regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of higher scores. Results Of 346 respondents, 80% correctly identified Lyme disease as endemic to Illinois, and 95% were familiar with diagnostic testing for Lyme. Knowledge of other TBDs present in the state was highest among physicians, yet only 26% of physicians believed Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) to be present in Illinois, and only 17% believed ehrlichiosis to be endemic. Only 32% of physicians knew the cause of Alpha-gal syndrome and fewer than 18% were aware of available diagnostic testing. Tick or TBD-related education within the past two years was the most significant predictor of higher scores, increasing overall knowledge scores by 26% (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13-1.41) and increasing scores specific to TBDs by 42% (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19-1.69). Conclusion Illinois clinicians were informed about Lyme disease but lacked knowledge of other TBDs endemic to the state, including RMSF, ehrlichiosis, and Alpha-gal syndrome. The strongest predictor of knowledge was tick/TBD training in the previous two years, highlighting the importance of frequent region-specific training on ticks and TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn A. Carson
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States of America
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Heather Kopsco
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Peg Gronemeyer
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Nohra Mateus-Pinilla
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Genee S. Smith
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States of America
| | - Emma N. Sandstrom
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Rebecca L. Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
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Crist SD, Kopsco H, Miller A, Gronemeyer P, Mateus-Pinilla N, Smith RL. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of veterinary professionals towards ticks and tick-borne diseases in Illinois. One Health 2022; 14:100391. [PMID: 35686148 PMCID: PMC9171534 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective A lack of standardized surveillance or reporting of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Illinois creates uncertainty for veterinarians regarding TBDs occurring within their practice geography or which TBDs may be encroaching on their area from neighboring territories. Therefore, the objective of this study was to gauge the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of veterinary professionals in Southern and Central Illinois to establish a foundation for targeting educational and outreach programs that address knowledge gaps. Sample 72 veterinary professionals in Central and Southern Illinois. Procedures An online knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey was distributed to veterinary professionals in Southern and Central Illinois. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with knowledge scores and the estimated number of TBD cases diagnosed. Results Knowledge scores were significantly higher among veterinary practitioners with recent (within the last 5 years) training on TBD. The number of cases of TBD diagnosed was higher among those reporting concern about TBD, and among those who routinely test for TBDs. The types of diseases diagnosed were heavily influenced by the diagnostic method used. Clinical relevance This study paints a cohesive picture of human factors associated with diagnosing veterinary diseases and TBD prevalence in Southern and Central Illinois. Our results highlight the importance and practical value of veterinary continuing education on ticks and TBDs for both companion animals and public health. Building capacity for training veterinarians in parasitology using partnerships between academia and industry may strengthen the knowledge and understanding of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in the veterinary community.
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