Ecology and Environmental Management of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease - unknown in the United States only two decades ago - has now been reported from almost every state; in the Northeast, it has become a major public health threat. Under the name of borreliosis, the disease is also common in Europe. As Americans have become aware of the hazard they face from Lyme disease, they have become anxious to know how to avoid or control the disease. But the complex ecological interactions of Lyme disease make that extremely difficult. The disease is caused by a microorganism, a spirochete, which is carried by tiny ticks. The ticks, in turn, are transported from place to place by their hosts: humans, deer, mice, dogs, and other mammals, as well as a variety of birds and even reptiles. As with any tick-borne disease, the best hope of prevention lies in understanding and interrupting the life cycle of the microorganism, its vectors, and their hosts.

This book is the first attempt to survey the natural history, ecology, population dynamics, geography, and environmental management of ticks and Lyme disease. Eighteen leading American researchers on Lyme disease explain the current state of knowledge and comment candidly on the theoretical and practical advantages and difficulties with each technique of surveillance, personal protection, and tick control. The book includes suggestions for avoiding contracting the disease.

This is an essential resource for ecologists, naturalists, physicians, nurses, epidemiologists, public health officials, entomologists, veterinarians, pest control operators, wildlife managers, landscapers, town planners, and anyone concerned about Lyme disease.

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