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NEWS RELEASE |
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ANDREW J. SPANO,
Westchester County Executive Westchester
County, Department of Health |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May
12, 2000
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FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Contact Mary Landrigan
(914) 637-4715 |
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Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano today
proclaimed the week of May 14- 20, 2000 as Tickborne Disease Awareness
Week and announced the opening of the new Westchester County Department
of Health tick identification service.
"Tickborne Disease Awareness Week is designed to
encourage residents to learn what they need to know about preventing
tickborne diseases, such as Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis, and to take
the necessary precautions to prevent these diseases" stated County
Executive Andrew J. Spano.
"To further help in the fight against tickborne
diseases, the Westchester County Department of Health through its
partnership with the Louis Calder Center of Fordham University will now
be offering a free tick identification service to Westchester County
residents," County Executive Andrew J. Spano continued. "Tick
experts will identify tick specimens submitted by Westchester residents
and phone the residents with the results. This will help residents and
physicians understand the possible health risks involved with a
particular tick bite. It will also allow health officials to better
understand the risk of tick bites in Westchester County."
The Health Department asks that residents please mail
tick specimens in alcohol, in a leak-proof container packed in a sturdy
tube or box to:
Westchester County Department of Health
Tick Identification Service, 8th Floor
Attention: Brian Kelly
145 Huguenot Street
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Please include name, address, phone number, number of
specimens enclosed, date specimen(s) was collected, name and address of
person bitten, and recent travel history of person bitten.
Tick specimens can also be dropped off at the
Westchester County Department of Health at the above address between
10am to 3pm. Residents will be asked to fill out a form when the tick
specimen is dropped off.
"In addition to the new tick identification
service," stated Westchester County Acting Commissioner Patsy
Yang-Lewis, "efforts to heighten public awareness about tickborne
illnesses are in full swing. Tickborne disease educational materials are
being distributed throughout the community and educational presentations
are being made to school children and community organizations such as
senior citizen groups."
The most well-known tickborne disease, Lyme disease,
is a potentially serious disease caused by a bacterium called a
spirochete. The spirochete is passed on to people and domestic animals
through the bite of an infected deer tick. The most common symptom is an
expanding red rash, typically a bull's-eye rash, often at the site of
the tick bite. The rash usually appears three to 30 days after the bite
and may last for several weeks. Other symptoms may include fever, sore
throat, fatigue, sleeping difficulties, joint and muscle pain, swollen
glands and dizziness.
Ehrlichiosis is a newly recognized tickborne disease
caused by a bacteria. Like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis is
spread through the bite of an infected deer tick.
Dual infection with both erhlichiosis and Lyme disease is possible.
Symptoms of ehrlichiosis can include fever, headache, chills, malaise,
muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting. Acute weight loss, low
platelet count and low white blood cell count can also occur.
Ticks are most commonly found in grassy or wooded
areas. They do not jump or fly, but instead stay low to the ground and
grab onto animals and humans that brush up against them. Avoiding tick
bites is the best defense against tickborne diseases. To protect
yourself from being bitten, always be sure to:
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Make it a habit
of doing tick checks at least daily each and every time you and your
family return home from enjoying outdoor activities. Inspect the entire
body and remove ticks promptly. Ticks usually must be attached and feed
for 36-48 hours before transmitting infections so tick checks and
removal at least daily is one of the most effective means of preventing
tickborne diseases.
·
Avoid
tick-infested areas (wooded or grassy areas), especially in May, June
and July when nymphal deer ticks are most active.
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Wear
light-colored, tightly-woven clothes to spot ticks more easily. Tuck
your pants into socks and shirt into pants.
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Use insect
repellents with no more than 30% DEET, but use them sparingly and with
care. Products containing 10% or less DEET are recommended for children,
but products containing DEET should not be used on infants. Carefully
read and follow directions on the container and wash treated skin when
tick exposure has ended.
For
further information on tickborne diseases and their prevention, call the
Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, or the
County's Lyme disease Hotline at (914) 637-LYME.
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