Ixodes scapularis distribution and the emergence of lyme disease in Southwest Virginia

Recently, the number of reported human cases of Lyme disease, caused by the tick-borne bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, has increased in Virginia. Coincident with this is evidence that the distribution of Ixodes scapularis, the primary vector of B. burgdorferi, is expanding. Ticks were collected actively by flagging and contributed by volunteer hunters and pet owners across the state. We present the current spatial distribution of Ixodes scapularis across Virginia.