Stepping up an offensive on ticks
Ticks and tick-borne diseases have become a serious public health crisis on Martha’s Vineyard, with infection rates far higher than elsewhere in Massachusetts. A major concern is the rapid rise of alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-triggered allergy to meat and dairy, driven largely by the spread of lone star ticks.
To combat this, a new island-wide initiative called Tick Free MV has launched. It brings together scientists, medical professionals, and community members with a key strategy: reduce the deer population, since deer are a primary host for ticks.
Hunters are central to this effort, acting as a “front line” in lowering deer numbers. The state has even expanded hunting seasons to support this goal. However, participation in hunting is declining due to cultural changes and fears of tick exposure, which complicates the strategy.
The article also highlights the personal toll: some hunters themselves have developed alpha-gal syndrome and can no longer eat the venison they harvest, yet they continue hunting to help the community and reduce tick risks.