A framework for incorporating the prevention of Lyme disease transmission into the landscape planning and design process

Abstract

A study was undertaken to investigate whether appropriate environmental planning and design techniques have the potential to reduce Lyme disease transmission in the landscape. The ecology of infectious diseases, using Lyme disease as a case study, was investigated to determine critical interactions between infectious disease and humans in the landscape. Knowledge of the life cycle of the disease’s hosts revealed the critical times and places where interactions, and possible infections of humans, are most likely to occur. This information was incorporated into a decision tree framework and a landscape features checklist that will allow landscape planners and designers to determine approaches that will minimize the risk of infection in humans. A series of planning, design, and management guidelines were developed, and their application should assist in lowering the likelihood of humans contracting Lyme disease in the landscape.