How many tick examinations are performed? - briefly
Around 1.2 million tick examinations are carried out each year in the United States, based on data from public health laboratories and veterinary clinics. This figure reflects both human and animal testing performed for disease surveillance.
How many tick examinations are performed? - in detail
The volume of tick inspections varies by jurisdiction, surveillance program, and year. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that state health departments collectively processed approximately 1.2 million tick specimens in 2022, with the highest contributions from the Northeast and Upper Midwest. European Union member states submitted around 850 000 samples to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) during the same period, driven primarily by Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Key factors influencing these figures include:
- Sampling strategy – active drag sampling, passive collection from pets, and citizen‑science submissions each generate distinct counts.
- Seasonality – peak activity occurs between April and September, accounting for 70 % of all examinations.
- Laboratory capacity – regional reference labs can process between 5 000 and 25 000 specimens annually, depending on staffing and equipment.
- Public health initiatives – targeted campaigns in high‑risk areas increase submission rates by up to 40 % during outbreak investigations.
Long‑term trends show a steady rise in the number of tick analyses. From 2015 to 2022, the United States experienced an average annual increase of 8 %, while the EU observed a 5 % growth rate. This upward trajectory reflects expanded surveillance networks, heightened public awareness, and the emergence of new tick‑borne pathogens.
In summary, recent surveillance data indicate that roughly two million tick examinations are conducted worldwide each year, with the United States and Europe accounting for the majority of the workload. The exact count fluctuates according to regional monitoring efforts, seasonal tick activity, and the capacity of diagnostic laboratories.