![]() While, as May mentioned during her interview, there is a Lyme disease vaccine on the horizon and there is more antibiotic intervention for both that illness and anaplasmosis, when it comes to other diseases like Powassan virus, there is no similar vaccine in development.Īt the same time, May says ticks “seem to be carrying at a higher rate than they did in the past.” There could also be something else at play. "We’re having a high mouse year but we’re also seeing a kind of sustained effect of that removal of natural predators," she said. The latter change means that there may be fewer predators proximate to mice to hunt them. She sees that increase in mice combined with more development abutting wooded areas as a factor contributing to more cases of these illnesses. In addition to climate change bringing warmer weather to Maine that is favorable to ticks, May says there is evidence of a mouse population boom. "It’s terrifying in that these are diseases that in many cases leave people with lifelong disabilities," said May, explaining that she hopes the cases raise awareness of tick safety.Īs the state urges people to take precautions, May said she is also thinking about what is causing the diseases to increase in prevalence. Meghan May, a professor of microbiology and infectious disease at the University of New England. ![]() "My initial reaction was that I’m glad that there’s so much more attention being paid to this," said Dr. #NEWS CENTER MAINE LIVE ANDROID#Get the NECN app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts. ![]() Stay informed about New England news and weather. ![]()
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