The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced strategic plans to address the growing tick-borne disease threat. They identified five priority areas of focus, including improving basic science knowledge, understanding causes of persistent disease, improved diagnostics and prevention, and the development of new therapies and research tools. This is encouraging news, however, specifics regarding the degree of increased research funding were lacking. Below is a portion of their press release.
What
The incidence of reported cases of tickborne diseases in the United States has significantly increased in recent years. It is expected to continue to grow as tick species expand their geographical reach and new tick-transmitted pathogens emerge, raising the potential for serious human illness and death. A new strategic research plan from the National Institutes of Health aims to build on — and accelerate — new and existing research initiatives to improve scientific understanding of ticks and the pathogens they may transmit and to develop the necessary tools and strategies to better diagnose, prevent and treat tickborne diseases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 59,349 cases of tickborne disease were reported in 2017 compared to 48,610 cases in 2016. Lyme disease accounted for the bulk (82%) of the cases. Recent CDC estimates suggest that Lyme disease is underreported and that the true incidence is likely 10 times higher. At least 20 different disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted from ticks to people. Depending on the disease, patients can experience symptoms that range from mild infections that resolve on their own to serious illness, extended disability, or death. Many tickborne diseases have been discovered only recently. For example, in 2009, scientists reported a red-meat allergy, known as “alpha gal syndrome.” Growing evidence suggests that this reaction may be associated with the bite of a tick, but further research is needed to understand this connection. Newly identified tick-transmitted pathogens continue to be reported, raising concerns about missed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and knowledge gaps related to tickborne diseases.To read the full press release from the NIH, click here: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-strategic-research-plan-addresses-growing-tickborne-diseases-threat
