The state Department of Environmental Protection announced a five-year surveillance of ticks across Pennsylvania, aiming to assess the risk of tickborne illnesses, especially Lyme disease.
The survey actually started last July and so far collected more than 3,600 adult black-legged ticks for testing. Thirty-eight counties are conducting a specific survey of tick nymphs, which can also transmit Lyme disease.
From 2000 to 2016, the Centers for Disease Control reported 1,275, confirmed cases of Lyme disease Jefferson County. Neighboring Clearfield County has 2,454 cases, while Indiana County had 1,041 confirmed cases.
Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania led the state with 10,611 in the 17-year period.
