Growing Tick-Borne Diseases Taken on by “Citizen Scientist.”
The Disease Control and Prevention had said in May, that the tick-borne disease like Lyme disease. Has exploded in U.S. However, as per reports of the new study. The threat of the disease is far worse than officials has initially thought of. As per recent found, 83 countries located in 24 states. Hasn’t even recorded the bacteria that cause the tick-borne disease.
How does citizen scientist help the researchers?
With a little help from “citizen scientist,” the researchers got 16,000 ticks. Which were pulled by Citizen Scientist across 49 states? Which they bagged and sent it to researchers. On which they started testing and find more about the bacteria and ticks.
According to the researchers, this helped them massively. The amount of data they collected in two years matched the data. They were collecting from last 50 years. They said that the amount of data they have collected in two years is equaling some of the data in public health and also in state health departments that they have been collecting for over 50 years.
In the U.S, researchers set out to assess the realistic and real-time assessment. For this, they set up calls for tick submission. Many people in America pulled the tick off themselves, their pet, their children. Bagged them up and sent them for research.
The vast combined effort of so many people turned out to be a goldmine of data. While before if a scientist went out in the field. He was only able to capture like 100 ticks. However, the combined forces of these citizen scientists brought them a big 16000 ticks. As per researchers, who don’t understand the threat fully. Said, it is going to be really helpful for them.
In a statement, the researchers said. They were amazed by the overwhelming amount of response they received. They said this approach is far more effective than what science has been doing so far. Well now that the researchers have an army of a scientist. They are sure to understand more about these ticks. Also, be more prepared for the risks these small ticks bring with them.