北部恢復蜱蟲測試計劃並修改費用

北部醫科大學已恢復其蜱蟲測試項目，但奧農達加縣居民的費用為 37 美元，非居民的費用為 75 美元。該程序以前是免費的，自 2019 年以來已處理了 32,000 多只蜱蟲，識別出大約三分之一是致病病原體的攜帶者。儘管成本高昂，但該計劃擴展到所有美國居民，為研究人員提供了有關蜱傳疾病及其地理分佈的寶貴數據。

Upstate Medical University Restores Tick-Testing Program with Revised Fee Structure

北部醫科大學恢復蜱蟲測試計畫並修改費用結構

Following a brief suspension, Upstate Medical University has resumed its comprehensive tick-testing program, empowering individuals across the nation to determine the potential health risks posed by ticks. While previously offered free of charge, the program now carries a nominal fee to ensure its sustainability.

在短暫暫停後，上州醫科大學恢復了全面的蜱蟲測試計劃，使全國各地的個人能夠確定蜱蟲造成的潛在健康風險。雖然該計劃以前是免費提供的，但現在只收取像徵性的費用，以確保其可持續性。

Onondaga County residents will continue to benefit from a reduced fee of $37, thanks to the county government's financial support. Non-county residents will pay $75 for the service, which entails thorough testing for an extensive range of tick-borne diseases.

由於縣政府的財政支持，奧農達加縣居民將繼續享有 37 美元的減費優惠。非縣居民將為這項服務支付 75 美元，該服務需要對多種蜱傳疾病進行徹底檢測。

The decision to implement fees stems from the financial burden incurred by the program. Upstate officials estimate that each tick test costs approximately $50, necessitating external funding to maintain the program's viability.

實施收費的決定源自於該計劃產生的財務負擔。北部官員估計，每次蜱蟲測試成本約為 50 美元，需要外部資金來維持該計劃的可行性。

"The overwhelming volume of ticks we were receiving was putting a strain on our resources," explained Saravanan Thangamani, the laboratory's director. "Our team was working tirelessly to process specimens."

實驗室主任 Saravanan Thangamani 解釋說：“我們收到的大量蜱蟲給我們的資源帶來了壓力。” “我們的團隊正在不知疲倦地處理標本。”

Prior to its suspension in March 2023, the free program processed over 32,000 ticks from individuals across New York State, prompting researchers to seek alternative funding sources. In response, Onondaga County provided a grant of $100,000, and the Upstate Foundation has also contributed financial support.

在 2023 年 3 月暫停之前，該免費計畫處理了來自紐約州各地個人的 32,000 多個蜱蟲，促使研究人員尋求其他資金來源。作為回應，奧農達加縣提供了 10 萬美元的贈款，北部基金會也提供了財政支持。

The relaunched program now extends its services beyond New York State, encompassing the entire United States. Individuals encountering ticks on themselves or their pets can now submit specimens for testing of 16 distinct pathogens. Results are typically delivered via email within three to five business days.

重新啟動的計劃現已將其服務擴展到紐約州以外，涵蓋整個美國。自己或寵物身上遇到蜱蟲的個人現在可以提交樣本以檢測 16 種不同的病原體。結果通常會在三到五個工作天內透過電子郵件發送。

For those who have experienced a tick bite, the test results can be instrumental in guiding medical decisions and treatment plans. For researchers, the citizen science program provides invaluable insights into tick populations and disease prevalence across diverse geographical regions.

對於那些被蜱蟲叮咬的人來說，測試結果可以有助於指導醫療決策和治療計劃。對於研究人員來說，公民科學計畫提供了有關不同地理區域的蜱蟲族群和疾病流行情況的寶貴見解。

One of the program's groundbreaking discoveries is the prevalence of disease-causing microorganisms in ticks, with approximately one in three ticks carrying at least one pathogen. Lyme disease remains the most common, but the program has also shed light on the spread of less frequently encountered tick-borne diseases, such as babesia and anaplasma.

該計劃的突破性發現之一是蜱蟲中普遍存在致病微生物，大約三分之一的蜱蟲攜帶至少一種病原體。萊姆病仍然是最常見的疾病，但該計劃也揭示了不常見的蜱傳疾病的傳播，例如巴貝斯蟲和無形體。

While concerns may arise regarding the potential impact of fees on tick submissions, Thangamani remains optimistic about the program's continued relevance. He anticipates a momentary dip in the number of ticks received but believes that expanding the program nationwide will yield valuable data, enhancing our understanding of tick-borne diseases in different ecosystems.

儘管人們可能會擔心費用對蜱蟲提交的潛在影響，但坦加馬尼對該計劃的持續相關性仍持樂觀態度。他預計收到的蜱蟲數量會暫時下降，但相信將該計劃擴展到全國將產生有價值的數據，增強我們對不同生態系統中蜱傳疾病的了解。

In conclusion, Upstate Medical University's tick-testing program remains a crucial resource for public health and scientific research. The revised fee structure ensures its longevity while maintaining its accessibility to individuals throughout the country. By working together, we can empower communities to make informed decisions about tick-related health risks and contribute to the collective knowledge on these prevalent and potentially devastating diseases.

總之，上州醫科大學的蜱蟲測試計畫仍然是公共衛生和科學研究的重要資源。修改後的費用結構確保了其長久性，同時保持了全國各地個人的可及性。透過共同努力，我們可以使社區能夠就與蜱蟲相關的健康風險做出明智的決定，並為這些流行且具有潛在破壞性的疾病的集體知識做出貢獻。