Tick Borne Diseases
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and local health departments continue to investigate the spread of Lyme disease throughout New York State. Saratoga County is considered “endemic” for Lyme Disease. This means that the disease is regularly found in this area.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. Untreated, the disease can cause a number of health problems. Patients treated with antibiotics in the early stage of the infection usually recover rapidly and completely. Since Lyme disease first became reportable in 1986, over 72,000 cases have now been confirmed in New York State.
Note: Ticks are no longer being sent to NYSDOH for Lyme disease testing.
Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease can affect the heart, joints, and nervous system of its victims. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
* Erythema migrans (bull’s eye rash)
* Headache
* Flu-like symptoms
* Fatigue
Preventing a tick bite is the #1 method of preventing tick borne diseases.
Use the following measures to help prevent bites:
Wear light colored clothing
Keep grass cut
Avoid tick habitat if possible
Tuck pants into socks and shirt into pants
Keep long hair tied back when gardening
Avoid sitting on ground or stone walls
Follow the directions of all insect repellent
Shower as soon as possible after outdoor activities
Perform tick-checks daily &/or after spending time outdoors (this is appropriate for both humans & pets)
There are other tick borne diseases which have been identified in New York State. Although rare, they must be treated early. Therefore, be sure to tell your primary care provider of any & all symptoms you experience following a tick bite. Most tick borne diseases can take weeks to properly diagnose, so early treatment is essential. Please use the links below to learn about other tick borne diseases such as the Powassan virus and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
If you have been bitten by a tick, proper removal is important!
Ticks spreading a bacteria can only spread the disease after being on its host for over 12 hours.
A tick can spread a virus after only a short period of time. This is why removing a tick quickly is very important. Watch the following video from the New York State Department of Health, which shows how to properly remove a tick.
Remember: use of essential oils has not been proven to safely remove a tick and when removing a tick, use only fine-tipped tweezers
For Additional Information Regarding Tick Borne Illnesses, Visit the Following Websites by Clicking on the Images Below:
Possible cases of all tick borne diseases are tracked & monitored by the Saratoga County Public Health Communicable Disease Public Health Nurse &/or Lyme Prevention Program Coordinator. Please visit our Communicable Disease page for additional information about this program.
