The Truth About Tick-Borne Illnesses
Deer ticks carrying Lyme disease are common in Connecticut. But the state is seeing other ticks with increasing frequency, and with that, illnesses like babesia, anaplasma, Powassan virus, and rarer ones, like Rickettsia parkeri and Borrelia miyamotoi.
The ticks and what they bring are the only change; ticks tend to stay active for a greater portion of the year. Dr. Kevin Dieckhaus, chief of UConn Health’s Division of Infectious Diseases, joins the UConn Health Pulse podcast to explain how to recognize, treat, and reduce the risk of tick-borne illness, and offers some hope about a preventive measure we soon may be able to take against Lyme disease.
The season is expanding. Generally ticks are active whenever the temperature is over about 40 degrees. And so we’re seeing that earlier.
— Dr. Kevin Dieckhaus
Listen now:
Latest UConn Today
- New BSW, MSW Students Welcomed during School of Social Work Convocation“By choosing social work, you’re choosing a profession rooted in courage, service, justice, and hope." — Convocation keynote speaker Ayesha Clarke ’06, ’18 MSW
- UConn Medical Students Shining with Pride in New White CoatsLargest class of 114 new medical students arrives to UConn School of Medicine.
- Welcome Home, HuskiesThe fall 2025 semester officially starts when classes convene on Monday, Aug. 25
- Building A World Where Young People Thrive: SSW’s Innovations Institute Hosts 2025 Training InstitutesThe UConn School of Social Work’s Innovations Institute offered more than 160 workshops focusing on ways to improve outcomes for children, young adults, and families
- Husky Reads Brings the Joy of Reading and Healthy Lifestyles to Connecticut PreschoolersThe UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport initiative connects UConn students with hundreds of young children across the state each year
- UConn Students Explore Entrepreneurship Across Borders Through an Abrahamic LensThe program will be offered again in Spring 2026
