# Wildlife and disease risks in New York

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wildlife-and-disease-risks-in-new-york
> Updated: 2026-08-18T20:02:25.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Public health and wildlife concerns in New York have highlighted various biological risks to residents. Initial reports noted high-profile bear encounters in the Hudson Valley and Catskill areas, but data identified mosquitoes as the state’s deadliest animal due to their link to West Nile virus.

Subsequent findings identified specific state parks, including Green Lakes and Harriman, as major national hotspots for ticks. Research indicates that white-footed mice populations, rather than deer, are a primary driver for the increase in blacklegged ticks capable of spreading Lyme disease.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: New York state parks rank among highest US tick hotspots

New York's Green Lakes and Harriman State Parks rank among the top three US tick hotspots, while new research suggests white-footed mice are a primary driver of Lyme disease-carrying tick populations.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-state-parks-rank-among-highest-us-tick-hotspots

### 2026-08-06: Mosquitoes Identified as New York's Most Dangerous Animal Amid Bear Encounters

Hudson Valley bear attacks draw attention, but data shows mosquitoes are New York’s deadliest animal, posing disease risks like West Nile virus.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mosquitoes-identified-as-new-yorks-most-dangerous-animal-amid-bear-encounters

---
Cite as: Wildlife and disease risks in New York. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wildlife-and-disease-risks-in-new-york