Tick, Tock, Boom! The Changing Landscape of Tick-Borne Diseases in the US
Overview
Tick-borne diseases are an increasing public health concern in the United States due to expanding tick populations, changing geographic distribution, and the emergence of new pathogens. This presentation reviews the evolving landscape of tick-borne diseases, highlighting current epidemiologic trends, factors contributing to increased disease incidence, and strategies for prevention. Participants will gain an understanding of the risks associated with tick exposure, the importance of early recognition of tick-borne illnesses, and the role of laboratory professionals in supporting accurate diagnosis and public health awareness.
Presenter
Bobbi Pritt, M.D.
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Division Chair, Clinical Microbiology
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- List primary tick-borne diseases in the United States and their vectors.
- Discuss the role that molecular analysis has played in the detection and description of novel tick-borne pathogens.
- Explain how to protect yourself and your family from tick-borne diseases.
Intended audience
This presentation is intended for medical laboratory scientists (MLS), medical laboratory technicians (MLT), laboratory directors and managers, clinical microbiology laboratory professionals, pathologists, infectious disease healthcare professionals, public health laboratory professionals, and other healthcare professionals interested in vector-borne diseases.
Credit
The following types of credit are offered for this event:
ASCLS P.A.C.E.®
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. This program has been approved for a maximum of 1.0 P.A.C.E.® contact hour.
State of Florida
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a Continuing Education Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences for the State of Florida. Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel has designated this program for General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology) credit. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hour.
To obtain credit
1. Watch the video.
2. Complete the posttest and evaluation that launches immediately following the video.
3. Generate and print your certificate(s).
Level of instruction for this program is intermediate.
Credit for this recording expires on 7/15/2028.
Faculty disclosure
Course director(s), planning committee, faculty, and all others who are in a position to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest related to the subject matter of the educational activity. Safeguards against commercial bias have been put in place. Faculty members also will disclose any off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments discussed in their presentations. Disclosure of this information will be published in course materials so those participants in the activity may formulate their own judgments regarding the presentations.
Questions
Contact us: mcleducation@mayo.edu
