Researchers in Georgia map the lone star tick

On a scorching summer day, Emory University researcher Arabella Lewis ventured into the woods of Putnam County, Georgia to collect ticks for testing. Using a flannel cloth, she attracted ticks and marveled at their unique features. Back at the lab, Lewis tested ticks for diseases like the Heartland virus. This ongoing research aims to understand Georgia’s tick population and the diseases they carry. With vector-borne diseases on the rise due to climate change, scientists are tracking the spread of ticks and emerging illnesses like the Heartland virus. By studying ticks and their diseases, researchers hope to prevent potential outbreaks and protect public health.