Federal Funding for Tick Disease Study

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal announced a significant federal grant of $239,000 for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) in New Haven to aid in the fight against tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease and babeiosis. The grant is part of a Congressionally-directed initiative to address the recent surge in Connecticut's tick population and the northward migration of disease-carrying species like the Gulf and Lone Star ticks. Senator Blumenthal emphasized the urgency of this battle against ticks, highlighting their expanding presence northward due to climate change and the threats they pose to public health.

Like much of New England, Connecticut has long been a focal point for tick research, particularly since the discovery of Lyme disease in the state in 1975. With over 2,700 cases of Lyme disease reported annually, concerns have also arisen regarding other tick-borne illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and the Powassan virus. The spread of various tick species, including those from the South and as far away as Asia, further complicates the situation, as each species carries different disease risks.

The federal funding will support CAES's ongoing research efforts, including the study of tick species expansion and the decline in tick specimen submissions from rural areas, potentially due to a desensitization to tick risks among residents. This grant follows a similar allocation in 2023, which expanded testing in rural towns. Additionally, Blumenthal highlighted over $100 million in the federal budget dedicated to national tick-borne disease research and the development of new treatment strategies, with CAES eligible to apply for grants under this program. The Kay Hagan Tick Act, passed in 2019, underscores the significance of federal efforts in combating tick-borne illnesses, with Blumenthal and Senator Chris Murphy playing key roles as co-sponsors of the bill.