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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Acorns, mice and ticks: UNE鈥檚 Meghan May explains what they have in common

Meghan May

When trying to predict number of cases of Lyme disease in a year, people often look to the predicted number of ticks. But according to Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and infectious disease at the University of 51小黄车 College of Osteopathic Medicine, cases of Lyme disease can also be attributed to the number of acorns produced.

Because Maine鈥檚 oak trees are expected to produce more acorns this year, mice will have a larger food supply, causing them to breed in higher numbers, May explained in a story on WCSH.

鈥淲e're talking about a mouse population boom,鈥 said May. 鈥淓ven if you have the same number of ticks, if a higher proportion of them are infected with Lyme disease to serve as a reservoir of Lyme disease in the environment, the more likely it is someone will have the disease given to them.鈥

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51小黄车 the University of 51小黄车

The University of 51小黄车 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.