Risk of Tick?Borne Pathogen Exposure Among Outdoor Recreationists in UVM Natural Areas
O'leary, Sarah
O'leary, Sarah
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Abstract
Tick abundance, distribution, and tick-borne disease incidence are increasing across the northeastern United States due to anthropogenic changes such as climate change. However, limited research has examined how landscape features interact with tick populations to facilitate establishment and transmission. This study assesses tick-borne pathogen exposure risk among outdoor recreationists in UVM Natural Areas, focusing on how trail proximity, life stage composition, and seasonality influence potential human-tick encounter likelihood and transmission potential. Field surveys (n = 175 drags) were conducted using standardized drag sampling techniques across two UVM Natural Areas from June to November, 2025. Tick abundance and life stage data were integrated with spatial analyses in ArcGIS Pro to classify exposure risk relative to trail networks. This allowed comparison of tick density near (<2 meters) versus far (>2 meters) from trails, evaluation of life stage composition across sites, and examination of seasonal variation influences on exposure risk. The results are currently being analyzed to determine the significance and impact. However, preliminary results show a decreasing trend in the number of ticks collected per drag with increasing distance from the trail, indicating a higher exposure risk to outdoor recreationists near the trail. Additionally, ticks in the nymph life stage were the most frequently collected per drag, which is a concern for human health because nymphs pose the greatest risk. Finally, while the number of ticks collected per drag is similar across seasons, slightly more were collected in the summer, suggesting that outdoor recreationists may be most at risk during this period. These findings highlight the importance of integrating ecological and behavioral factors when assessing tick-borne pathogen exposure risk. This work can inform targeted land management strategies and enhance public health education initiatives to mitigate the risks associated with tick-borne pathogen exposure among outdoor recreationists in UVM Natural Areas and similar environments.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Senior (Graduating in 2026)
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Poster
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Environmental Science
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Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
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Life Science