This is a reminder for our community to be aware of ticks in our environment. Simon has been collecting ticks from an area adjacent to our local Monrovia Canyon for our work on diagnostic tests under development in the Pathogens Core and our research in infectious diseases. Ticks can carry a range of bacterial and viral diseases and because most tick bites go unnoticed the symptoms are very hard to diagnose. Simon easily managed to collect many male and female adult Pacific Coast Ticks (Dermacentor occidentalis) specially off the path in high grass. Both male and female ticks can attach and feed on humans, and transmit pathogens. When hiking wear long pants, stay on the path and check yourself for ticks when you return home! More links and a contact form for questions are available on our Pathogens Core page.
