Richard Ostfeld on Tick-Borne Threats in Changing Ecosystems

Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld discusses how human disruption of natural ecosystems, such as forest fragmentation and predator loss, has increased the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme and Powassan virus. He explains how climate change extends tick seasons and how common hosts like mice thrive in altered environments, boosting tick populations. Despite promising tick-control interventions, personal prevention remains key, as broad environmental strategies have yet to show consistent reductions in human disease.