Since his lab began collecting ticks in July 2019, researcher Saravanan Thangamani has received more than 4,000 ticks sent by the public. Nearly 90 percent have been deer ticks, and about a third of those carried the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
Thangamani, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Upstate, discusses how to reduce the chance of being bitten by a tick, and what to do if you find a tick on your body in this week’s “HealthLink on Air.” He also explains the work of his lab, including research into mosquito-borne diseases. And, he shares which particular animal gets bitten by the Lyme-positive ticks most often, based on his research so far. (Hint: humans come in second behind this creature.)
Also on the show, medical oncologist Sam Benjamin explains how people with a cancer history can stay safe as society reopens during the coronavirus pandemic. Listen this Sunday, June 21 at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. for "HealthLink on Air."
