INQ-177 | Ticked Off

Topic Description:

Is Lyme’s diseases presence similar in southwestern Virginia ticks as it is in other regions? What species of mosquitoes are found in southwest VA and what diseases are they capable of carrying? Recent news reports about diseases have seemed scary with talk of Zika virus from mosquitoes and increasing Lyme’s disease because of ticks. These diseases, and others transmitted by arthropods are known as vector borne diseases. In southwest Virginia we know some of these vector borne diseases exist but how bad is it? Let's spend some time collecting ticks and looking for diseases. This course will focus on vector borne diseases, with the main focus on ticks and mosquitoes. What does our data mean for the possibility of vector borne illness for our community – both human and animal. We’ll work to answer these questions and generate meaningful information for our region.

Course Types Offered: On-Campus

Topic Approved: December 2017