TY - JOUR AU - Lane, Robert S. AU - Anderson, John TI - Research on animal-borne parasites and pathogens helps prevent human disease JF - California Agriculture JO - Calif Agr Y1 - 2001/11/01 VL - 55 IS - 6 SP - 13 EP - 18 PB - University of California Agriculture and Nature Resources SN - 0008-0845 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3733/ca.v055n06p13 L3 - 10.3733/ca.v055n06p13 AB - A large body of basic and applied research conducted at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) has focused on micro- or macroparasites that infest humans, domestic animals and wildlife, including viruses, bacteria, protozoans, helminths and blood-sucking arthropods. Approximately 17 microorganisms detected at the HREC are transmitted by ticks, and of these, at least five cause zoonotic diseases — animal-borne diseases that can be transmitted to people. Scientists working at the HREC identified the basic transmission cycle of the Lyme disease spirochete in the far-western United States. This information now is being used to develop and implement risk-assessment and preventive strategies.