ClimaTICK Changes: Climate Change Impacts on Ticks and Their Associated Pathogens in the Northwest

Although tick-borne illnesses are relatively rare in the Northwest, ticks in the region can still transmit various diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and tick relapsing fever. Climate change-driven increases in temperature and declines in humidity may influence tick behavior and expand suitable ranges for some species in the Northwest. These changes may also alter the pathogen prevalence of certain diseases within tick and host populations. Tick surveillance programs in northwestern North America are inconsistent across state and country borders, and are limited by funding, resources, and effective options for management. Some management strategies exist, but most are limited to small scales. Improving public awareness and collaboration across states and between researchers, land resource managers, and medical professionals is currently the most effective way to prevent the spread of tick-borne illnesses.

Suggested citation: Webster, M.W., and Colberg, E. 2026. ClimaTICK Changes: The impacts of climate change on ticks, their associated pathogens, and their relevance to the Northwest. Northwest Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Management Brief. https://arcg.is/1DvLL84