Impact of green space connectivity on urban tick presence, density and Borrelia infected ticks in different habitats and seasons in three cities in southern England

Urban green spaces with higher connectivity to woodlands show increased tick presence and nymph density, particularly during spring. A multi-city study across Bath, Bristol, and Southampton revealed that proximity to woodland positively correlates with tick abundance in urban recreational areas, while Borrelia spp. prevalence in ticks remained low (2.8%) but consistent with rural UK data. Bird-related Borrelia genospecies were dominant, suggesting birds may play a key role in tick infection dynamics in urban settings. The research used geospatial analysis and seasonal sampling to assess risk factors for Lyme borreliosis transmission, highlighting the need for further investigation into human exposure in urban environments.

Hansford, K. M., Gillingham, E. L., Vaux, A. G. C., Cull, B., McGinley, L., Catton, M., Wheeler, B. W., Tschirren, B., & Medlock, J. M. (2023). Impact of green space connectivity on urban tick presence, density and Borrelia infected ticks in different habitats and seasons in three cities in southern England. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, 14(2), 102103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102103