From the NC Department of Health & Human Services: The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease (CD) Branch continues to offer its statewide tick identification program in partnership with NC veterinary professionals and animal shelters to better understand the diversity and distribution of ticks across the state. Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged. In 2024, ehrlichiosis was the most frequently reported tick-borne illness among NC residents, while Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever also remain common, highlighting the importance of this initiative. The discovery of the invasive longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in 2018 also emphasizes the need for tick surveillance to protect both human and animal health. To date, active surveillance efforts have been limited to approximately half of all counties in NC, so passive surveillance through tick submissions from veterinary practices and shelters remains essential to achieving full statewide coverage. Your facility’s participation plays a critical role in identifying emerging tick threats and informing public health responses. Surveillance data collected between 2018 and 2024 can be viewed on our interactive dashboard located here.
Instructions for Tick Collection and Submission:
Remove both flat (unfed) and fed ticks from animal patients.
Place ticks in a Ziploc bag or plastic vial with a cotton ball soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
Complete a brief submission form outlining the animal patient demographic information.
Ticks from different animals should be placed in separate Ziplocs, each accompanied by its own submission form. Multiple Ziplocs may be mailed together in a single envelope.
Prepaid mailing envelopes will be provided by the CD Branch.
If you are interested in participating or require additional prepaid mailing envelopes, please contact Dr. Vishvapali (Viva) Kobbekaduwa at NCTickID@dhhs.nc.gov. Upon request, prepaid envelopes and submission forms will be sent to your practice.
Send all submissions to the address below. Ticks will be identified, and tick species identification results will be emailed directly to participating veterinarians. Ticks will not be tested for pathogens.
NC Tick Identification Program c/o Dr Vishvapali Kobbekaduwa 1902 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1902
Email to a Friend