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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced federal strategies to strengthen the national response to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. HHS also pledged to reduce Lyme disease cases by 25% by 2035. As part of the new initiatives, a large pilot program led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and HHS will bring tick-control researchers together to deploy practical strategies to reduce tick populations on wildlife before they can spread disease to humans. Additionally, new public health actions will target Alpha-gal syndrome, which can trigger potentially serious allergic reactions to red meat and other mammalian products. According to agency estimates, nearly 500,000 Americans are living with Alpha-gal syndrome. Several public-private collaborations are also offering up to $2.5 million in funding to accelerate breakthroughs in public awareness, treatment, and patient care.Â
Walk in the park: Meanwhile, local efforts to address tick-borne illnesses showcase some clever ideas. In Madison, Wisconsin, for example, the community is taking advantage of new tick check stations at popular parks. The stations include a sign with images of different kinds of ticks found in the area, along with tweezers and a jar of propylene glycol that kills the ticks. If visitors find a tick on their body, they can pick it up with the tweezers, tap it into the jar, and snap the lid shut, according to the local news station. Read more from the JUCM archives: Northeast Leads in Lyme-Related Diagnoses in Urgent Care