SEASONAL VARIATION OF TRANSMISSION RISK OF LYME DISEASE AND HUMAN BABESIOSIS

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Abstract
The seasonal host-seeking pattern of nymphal Ixodes dammini infected with Babesia mlcrotl or Borrella burgdorferi was determined on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, during 1985. The peak period of host-seeking by Infected nymphal I. dammini occurred in May and June. On a per person-hour basis, the number of infected ticks collected reached a maximum in May (Blabesia = 17.3; Borrella = 16.2). The number of infected ticks remained high in June, but decreased notably in July, August, and September. Transmission risk of the tickborne etlologic agents of Lyme disease and human babeslosis in Massachusetts is greatest during the late spring-early summer months of May and June.