Lyme disease has plagued Nantucket for decades, affecting residents and raising concerns for visitors exploring the island's beaches, trails and conservation land.Researchers are now exploring whether mice could help slow the spread of the disease.The project, known as Mice Against Ticks, is a collaboration involving researchers from MIT that aims to reduce Lyme disease by interrupting the cycle that allows ticks to become infected.DANGEROUS TICK-BORNE VIRUS CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE IN VULNERABLE YOUNG PATIENTNantucket, located about 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, has become a focal point for the effort because Lyme disease has had an outsized impact on the island.Lyme disease has long been a concern for Nantucket residents and visitors alike.(iStock)Roughly 15% of residents have been affected by the illness, CBS News reported."The natural disaster in our area is not hurricanes, or tornadoes, or earthquakes; it is Lyme disease," MIT researcher Kevin Esvelt told the outlet.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERWhite-footed mice play a major role in the Lyme disease cycle.
While people contract Lyme disease from infected ticks, ticks often become infected after feeding on mice that carry the bacteria.Researchers hope that if mice can no longer pass Lyme disease to ticks, the number of infected ticks will decline over time.Researchers are testing whether mice can help slow the spread of Lyme disease on Nantucket.(iStock)The specially bred mice would carry protective antibodies from birth, helping shield them from Lyme disease and preventing them from spreading the bacteria to ticks, Mice Against Ticks said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIESWhile the island is best known as a summer getaway, attracting visitors with its beaches, historic downtown and outdoor recreation, health officials say tick-borne illnesses remain a persistent concern.Nantucket has one of the highest incidence rates of tick-borne disease in the country and advises residents and visi...