Popular summer destination ravaged by Lyme disease bets on radical new solution (opens original article in a new tab)

Nantucket, a popular summer destination, is tackling Lyme disease by testing a project that uses specially bred mice to reduce tick infections. Researchers from MIT are involved in the initiative, which aims to interrupt the Lyme disease cycle by preventing mice from spreading the bacteria to ticks. The project has sparked both support and concerns about its impact on the ecosystem.

• Lyme disease has affected 15% of Nantucket residents, making it a major health issue.
• The Mice Against Ticks project uses mice with protective antibodies to reduce tick infections.
• The initiative has generated public discussion with both support and concerns about ecological impacts.
• Nantucket has one of the highest rates of tick-borne diseases in the country.