Which specific tick species is the primary vector for Lyme disease in Oregon?
Answer
Ixodes pacificus
The Western black-legged tick, known scientifically as Ixodes pacificus, is the primary species responsible for transmitting the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease in Oregon. This tick is distinct from the common deer tick found in the Eastern United States, and it inhabits specific moist, humid environments with dense vegetation. While other ticks such as the Pacific Coast tick and the American dog tick are present in the region, they do not carry the Lyme bacterium.
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