Citizen Science Provides an Efficient Method for Broad-Scale Tick-Borne Pathogen Surveillance of Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis across the United States
W. Tanner Porter, Julie Wachara, Zachary A. Barrand, Nathan C. Nieto, Daniel J. Salkeld
Abstract
In the 21st century, zoonotic pathogens continue to emerge, while previously discovered pathogens continue to have changes within their distribution and prevalence. Monitoring these pathogens is resource intensive, requiring both field and laboratory support; thus, data sets are often limited within their spatial and temporal extents. Citizen science collections provide a method to harness the general public to collect samples, enabling real-time monitoring of pathogen distribution and prevalence.
Topics & Concepts
Ixodes scapularisIxodesBiologyTickCitizen scienceGeographyEcologyIxodidaeBotanyVector-borne infectious diseasesInsect and Pesticide ResearchViral Infections and Vectors