News
A collection of local and national news on ticks, tick-borne illnesses and Tick Free MV
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Martha's Vineyard Magazine: An Island Epidemic
The Martha’s Vineyard Magazine article “An Island Epidemic” describes the rise of lone star ticks on Martha’s Vineyard and the growing number of alpha-gal syndrome cases linked to tick bites. It highlights how this tick-borne red meat allergy is increasingly affecting residents and reshaping awareness of tick-borne disease on the Island.
The Scientist: The Alpha-Gal Syndrome Story: How Researchers Traced a Red-Meat Allergy to Ticks
Learn the story of how alpha-gal syndrome was discovered and how an allergy epidemic evolved on Martha's Vineyard.
Patch: ER Visits For Tick Bites At Highest Level In A Decade: What To Know In MA
Emergency room visits for tick bites in Massachusetts have reached their highest level in nearly a decade, reflecting a broader regional increase. The article highlights the growing risk of tick exposure and emphasizes prevention measures such as repellents, protective clothing, and tick checks after outdoor activity.
Blue Dot: Restoring Balance, Tick Free MV Gets to Work
Bluedot Living highlights efforts on Martha’s Vineyard focused on reducing tick populations and limiting human exposure through coordinated, community-based action. The piece describes local initiatives that emphasize habitat management, public education, and practical prevention strategies to help create a more “tick-free” environment across the Island.
Consumer Reports: Why Tick Threats Are Rising—and How to Stay Safe
Tick-borne diseases are rising in the U.S. as tick populations expand and remain active for longer seasons, increasing the risk of illnesses like Lyme disease. Consumer Reports emphasizes prevention through repellents, protective clothing, and regular tick checks after time outdoors.
The New York Times: Wirecutter review of Insect Shield
The New York Times Wirecutter review finds that Insect Shield’s permethrin-based clothing treatment works largely as advertised, providing effective protection against ticks and insects. It also concludes that the service offers good value for the cost, particularly for people who spend significant time outdoors.
The Vineyard Current Show with Tick Free MV
An conversation with Virginia Barbatti of Tick Free MV on MVY Radio
The Vineyard Gazette: State Looks to Get a Handle on Alpha-Gal Numbers
Massachusetts is beginning to formally track alpha-gal syndrome to better understand and respond to a rapidly growing tick-borne health problem, particularly severe on Martha’s Vineyard.
MV Times: Vineyard delegates call for increased hunting access
Leaders are advocating for looser hunting restrictions as a practical and controversial solution to reduce deer, curb tick populations, and address a growing public health issue on the island.
MV Times: A Year in Review, The year of the tick
2025 marked a shift from ticks being a long-standing problem to a full-blown, widely recognized public health crisis, driven especially by the surge in alpha-gal syndrome and concerns about limited resources to fight it.