Tick-Borne Disease Knowledge in the Transboundary USA–Mexico Region

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The USA-Mexico transboundary region has environmental conditions that may favor the occurrence and abundance of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs). About 40 cases of <i>Rickettsial</i> infections have been reported in recent years in this region, mainly in Tamaulipas, Mexico (28 cases) and in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, Texas, USA; 12 cases). A low level of knowledge about TBD, along with inappropriate protection practices to prevent tick bites, could severely affect human health in this region. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We assessed the purported understanding of ticks and TBDs among residents in cities of the transboundary region of USA-Mexico, creating awareness on how to prevent TBD. We developed and validated an online bilingual (English and Spanish) survey and distributed it using the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Qualtrics platform from October to December 2020. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In total, 543 people, aged from 18 to 67 years old, answered the survey. We found that 54.80% of the people reported knowledge of ticks and TBD, whereas 45.20% reported no knowledge, contradicting our prediction. Nonetheless, residents lack protection practices to prevent tick bites. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our findings can help develop educational tools in English and Spanish (<i>e.g.,</i> videos and flyers) to prevent TBD in the transboundary region of USA-Mexico.