For Immediate Release
February 12, 2019

County scientists’ tick study published in national journal
Study analyzes 11 years of collected data

TINTON FALLS, NJ – A study written by two Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division scientists, Dr. Robert Jordan and Dr. Andrea Egizi, which analyzes 11 years of data collected by the Division’s Tick-borne Disease Program, has been published in a national peer-reviewed scientific journal run by the Public Library of Science (PLoS).

“It is great to see the hard work being done by the Division nationally recognized, showing that Monmouth County is at the forefront of tick surveillance, collection and identification,” said Freeholder Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the County’s Mosquito Control Division. “In fact, Monmouth County is the only county in New Jersey with an established tick surveillance program.”

The research summarizes the results of the Program’s free tick identification service offered to County residents since 2006. A County resident submitting a tick for identification completes a form asking questions about the tick encounter, including the resident’s age and gender, where and when the tick was found and what the resident was doing at the time of the encounter.

After submission, residents receive a report describing the tick species, life stage and engorgement level. The findings can indicate the risk of potential tick-borne disease transmission and provide important information for clinicians as needed.

Program scientists analyzed data provided by residents along with information about each tick to better understand tick encounters in Monmouth County. Researchers sought to answer who is getting bitten, by what species of ticks as well as when and how these tick encounters may change over time.

“Studies such as this, as well as field monitoring, assist the County in educating the public and developing management strategies to reduce tick encounters and the diseases they may transmit,” said Freeholder Kiley.

The research published in PLoS One, a multidisciplinary Open Access journal that publishes high quality, peer-reviewed research, is available free to the public.

County residents are reminded that ticks are active on winter days over 40 degrees. Ticks are found in leaf litter, low shrubs in wooded areas and forest edges. It is important to use repellents and check for ticks when participating in outdoor activities at home, parks or trails.

For more information about the Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division and its Tick Identification Service, go to www.visitmonmouth.com or call 732-542-3630.

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