301 - Monmouth County: The Wild East of Ticks

Abstract: Monmouth County, New Jersey is uniquely situated for vector control and research in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is part of the New York City metropolitan area and adjacent to the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Ecologically, the County has several biomes and diverse land uses within its borders: the Raritan Bayshore region in the north closest to New York; the coastal plain along the eastern edge which is home to the famous Jersey Shore; and Piedmont to the south and west where a diversity of agricultural activities take place. With New Jersey being the birthplace of mosquito control in the US, it’s only fitting that one of the oldest dedicated tick research programs outside of academia is in the Garden State as well. In 1998, the Tick-Borne Disease Program was founded as part of the Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission (now Mosquito Control Division). There has been a long tradition of research excellence in this program, with several accomplished scientists being a part of the program. This presentation will discuss our Tick-Borne Disease program and the varied activities we engage in for the residents of the County. We will also go over how Monmouth County provides a unique and challenging opportunity as a researcher and public servant to engage with ticks, including five species of concern (Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Haemaphysalis longicornis) that are a threat to our residents. The Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division: Tick-Borne Disease Program is well suited to combat the risk of ticks and tick-borne illness now and into the future.