Ticks and tick-borne diseases are an immense public health burden in New York State (NYS), United States. Tick species and associated pathogens are expanding into new areas, shifting threats to human, and animal health across the state. For example, the invasive tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae), was first detected in the United States in 2017 and has since been identified in 17 states, including NYS. In addition, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) is a native tick thought to be reestablishing historical populations in NYS. We implemented a community-based science project called the “NYS Tick Blitz” to determine the distribution of A. americanum and H. longicornis in NYS. Community volunteers were recruited, provided with education, training, and materials to conduct active tick sampling during a 2-wk period in June 2021. Fifty-nine volunteers sampled 164 sites across 15 counties, for a total of 179 separate collection events and 3,759 ticks collected. The most frequently collected species was H. longicornis, followed by Dermacentor variabilis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), and A. americanum, respectively. Through the NYS Tick Blitz collections, H. longicornis was identified for the first time in Putnam County. We conducted pooled pathogen testing on a subset of specimens, with the highest rates of infection detected for pathogens transmitted by I. scapularis, including Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti. Most participants who completed a follow-up survey (n = 23, 71.9%) were promoters of the NYS Tick Blitz and 50% (n = 15) reported that they enjoyed participating in meaningful science.

Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say, Acari: Ixodidae) were collected from 432 locations across New York State (NYS) during the summer and autumn of 2015–2020 to determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens. A total of 48,386 I. scapularis were individually analyzed using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to simultaneously detect the presence of Bo. miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), and Babesia microti (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae). Overall prevalence of Bo. miyamotoi in host-seeking nymphs and adults varied geographically and temporally at the regional level. The rate of polymicrobial infection in Bo. miyamotoi-infected ticks varied by developmental stage, with certain co-infections occurring more frequently than expected by chance. Entomological risk of exposure to Bo. miyamotoi-infected nymphal and adult ticks (entomological risk index [ERI]) across NYS regions in relation to human cases of Bo. miyamotoi disease identified during the study period demonstrated spatial and temporal variation. The relationship between select environmental factors and Bo. miyamotoi ERI was explored using generalized linear mixed effects models, resulting in different factors significantly impacting ERI for nymphs and adult ticks. These results can inform estimates of Bo. miyamotoi disease risk and further our understanding of Bo. miyamotoi ecological dynamics in regions where this pathogen is known to occur.