First comprehensive state-wide tick survey in South Carolina

During the past decade, tick-borne disease incidence has increased, and the southeastern US is emerging as a hotspot of concern. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), approximately 74% of all reported vector-borne disease cases from the past 5 years have been tick-borne. Without formal tick surveillance, disease occurrence is retroactively handled. In addition, there is a paucity of research in the state regarding ticks and the pathogens they carry. Groups in neighboring states, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina, conduct tick surveillance, yielding crucial information regarding risk areas for residents and movement of invasive species, such as the Asian Longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. Our group began the first state-wide tick surveillance program in March 2020 to identify, monitor, and research tick species and tick-borne pathogens. Tick-borne disease data from DHEC was utilized to select public parks for surveillance within the four major regions of the state. Tick dragging and CO₂-baited traps were placed in state and local parks bimonthly. Veterinarians from local shelters also submitted ticks collected from dogs. All ticks were speciated and processed for pathogen testing. Amblyomma americanum and A. maculatum were the most frequently captured, all life stages except eggs were collected, and 7 species were collected. Ixodes scapularis, the blacklegged tick, was determined as “established” in two counties where it was only “reported” previously. The results of this survey have informed state public health officials to prepare for emerging tick-borne disease threats and invasive species.