Category
Applied
Description
Tick-borne diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the United States, particularly in the region of Central Virginia. Ticks carry parasites (Babesia), bacteria, viruses, and toxic sugars (alpha-gal) that can be transmitted during blood meals. Lyme disease, caused by the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common tick-borne disease in the Eastern United States. Symptoms are flu-like with a characteristic bullseye rash (erythema migrans). Recently, the prevalence of Alpha-gal syndrome has risen in Central Virginia, marked by an allergic response to the alpha-gal sugar molecule, which is present in red meat. Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills is credited with discovering Alpha-gal syndrome and confirmed the first death attributed to it in 2025. Based on reports from 2023, Bedford County, VA was identified as a significant epicenter for Alpha-gal, with the second-highest number of cases in the United States. In this study, Liberty University parasitology students were anonymously surveyed on their personal experiences with tick-borne disease. With this data, general tick knowledge, frequency of tick bites, reported symptoms, and preferred treatment methods were analyzed. The aim of this study was to understand tick disease awareness and occurrence within the sample population. The study consisted of fifty, mostly college-age students, at Liberty University who were enrolled in Parasitology (BIOL 305) or Biology Seminar (BIOL 400). The results from this study conclude that tick awareness and exposure are common among respondents. Most participants (86%) reported being bitten by a tick at least once in their lifetime, with 82% of those being able to identify the type of tick. We found that the prevalence of having or knowing someone with Lyme disease (52%) was much higher compared to Alpha-gal (18%). The study concluded that tick exposure was high among participants, with tick-borne disease statistics mirroring those of national studies. Further studies should survey the general population in Central Virginia to understand the viewpoint and occurrence for the general public.
Bitten: A Survey of Tick-Borne Diseases
Applied
Tick-borne diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the United States, particularly in the region of Central Virginia. Ticks carry parasites (Babesia), bacteria, viruses, and toxic sugars (alpha-gal) that can be transmitted during blood meals. Lyme disease, caused by the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common tick-borne disease in the Eastern United States. Symptoms are flu-like with a characteristic bullseye rash (erythema migrans). Recently, the prevalence of Alpha-gal syndrome has risen in Central Virginia, marked by an allergic response to the alpha-gal sugar molecule, which is present in red meat. Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills is credited with discovering Alpha-gal syndrome and confirmed the first death attributed to it in 2025. Based on reports from 2023, Bedford County, VA was identified as a significant epicenter for Alpha-gal, with the second-highest number of cases in the United States. In this study, Liberty University parasitology students were anonymously surveyed on their personal experiences with tick-borne disease. With this data, general tick knowledge, frequency of tick bites, reported symptoms, and preferred treatment methods were analyzed. The aim of this study was to understand tick disease awareness and occurrence within the sample population. The study consisted of fifty, mostly college-age students, at Liberty University who were enrolled in Parasitology (BIOL 305) or Biology Seminar (BIOL 400). The results from this study conclude that tick awareness and exposure are common among respondents. Most participants (86%) reported being bitten by a tick at least once in their lifetime, with 82% of those being able to identify the type of tick. We found that the prevalence of having or knowing someone with Lyme disease (52%) was much higher compared to Alpha-gal (18%). The study concluded that tick exposure was high among participants, with tick-borne disease statistics mirroring those of national studies. Further studies should survey the general population in Central Virginia to understand the viewpoint and occurrence for the general public.
