北部恢复蜱虫测试计划并修改费用

北部医科大学已恢复其蜱虫测试项目，但奥农达加县居民的费用为 37 美元，非居民的费用为 75 美元。该程序以前是免费的，自 2019 年以来已处理了 32,000 多只蜱虫，识别出大约三分之一是致病病原体的携带者。尽管成本高昂，但该计划扩展到所有美国居民，为研究人员提供了有关蜱传疾病及其地理分布的宝贵数据。

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

北部医科大学恢复蜱虫测试项目并修改费用结构

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.

在短暂暂停后，上州医科大学恢复了全面的蜱虫测试计划，使全国各地的个人能够确定蜱虫造成的潜在健康风险。虽然该计划以前是免费提供的，但现在只收取象征性的费用，以确保其可持续性。

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.

由于县政府的财政支持，奥农达加县居民将继续享受 37 美元的减费优惠。非县居民将为这项服务支付 75 美元，该服务需要对多种蜱传疾病进行彻底检测。

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.

实施收费的决定源于该计划产生的财务负担。北部官员估计，每次蜱虫测试成本约为 50 美元，需要外部资金来维持该计划的可行性。

"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."

实验室主任 Saravanan Thangamani 解释说：“我们收到的大量蜱虫给我们的资源带来了压力。” “我们的团队正在不知疲倦地处理标本。”

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 月暂停之前，该免费计划处理了来自纽约州各地个人的 32,000 多个蜱虫，促使研究人员寻求其他资金来源。作为回应，奥农达加县提供了 10 万美元的赠款，北部基金会也提供了财政支持。

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.

重新启动的计划现已将其服务扩展到纽约州以外，覆盖整个美国。自己或宠物身上遇到蜱虫的个人现在可以提交样本以检测 16 种不同的病原体。结果通常会在三到五个工作日内通过电子邮件发送。

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.

对于那些被蜱虫叮咬的人来说，测试结果可以有助于指导医疗决策和治疗计划。对于研究人员来说，公民科学计划提供了有关不同地理区域的蜱虫种群和疾病流行情况的宝贵见解。

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.

该计划的突破性发现之一是蜱虫中普遍存在致病微生物，大约三分之一的蜱虫携带至少一种病原体。莱姆病仍然是最常见的疾病，但该计划也揭示了不常见的蜱传疾病的传播，例如巴贝斯虫和无形体。

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.

尽管人们可能会担心费用对蜱虫提交的潜在影响，但坦加马尼对该计划的持续相关性仍持乐观态度。他预计收到的蜱虫数量会暂时下降，但相信将该计划扩展到全国将产生有价值的数据，增强我们对不同生态系统中蜱传疾病的了解。

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.

总之，上州医科大学的蜱虫测试项目仍然是公共卫生和科学研究的重要资源。修改后的费用结构确保了其长久性，同时保持了全国各地个人的可及性。通过共同努力，我们可以使社区能够就蜱虫相关的健康风险做出明智的决定，并为这些流行且具有潜在破坏性的疾病的集体知识做出贡献。