302 - Tick Talk: Foray into Tick Surveillance in an Illinois MAD

Abstract: In 2025, Illinois legislation expanded mosquito abatement districts’ authority to include tick surveillance and pathogen testing. In response, the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District (NWMAD) launched a tick surveillance program in fall 2024 and integrated tick education into community outreach. The program includes systematic tick collection, pathogen testing, and public education on prevention and disease risk.

Tick drags were conducted along 24 Forest Preserve District trails (750–1500 m transects, collections every 10 m) in fall 2024 (Oct–Nov) and spring 2025 (Apr–Jun). Ticks were identified by species, sex, and life stage, preserved in ethanol, and Ixodes scapularis specimens were submitted to CDC for Next Generation Sequencing.

In fall 2024, 312 adult I. scapularis were collected from 20 sites; 44% tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, 4% for human-active Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and 2.6% for Borrelia miyamotoi. In spring 2025, 348 I. scapularis (including 99 nymphs) were collected; 37.1% were positive for B. burgdorferi, 2.9% for B. miyamotoi, 3.5% for human-active A. phagocytophilum, and 1.2% for the non-human variant. Data from our spring and summer collection will be presented too.

Community outreach included tick ID cards, prevention materials, tick-check demonstrations, and interactive activities at farmers markets, schools, libraries, and festivals. Findings reveal unexpectedly high I. scapularis numbers and notable pathogen prevalence in the Midwest region where tick presence has been underrecognized. Public engagement highlights widespread lack of awareness about local tick populations and disease risks. NWMAD plans to partner with forest preserves for continued research and expanded education to improve prevention knowledge.