Acorns, mice and ticks: UNE’s Meghan May explains what they have in common

When trying to predict number of cases of Lyme disease in a year, people often look to the predicted number of ticks. But according to Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and infectious disease at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, cases of Lyme disease can also be attributed to the number of acorns produced.

Because Maine’s oak trees are expected to produce more acorns this year, mice will have a larger food supply, causing them to breed in higher numbers, May explained in a story on WCSH.

“We're talking about a mouse population boom,” said May. “Even if you have the same number of ticks, if a higher proportion of them are infected with Lyme disease to serve as a reservoir of Lyme disease in the environment, the more likely it is someone will have the disease given to them.”

Watch the story.

To learn more about the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit www.une.edu/com

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