FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2005

TICKBORNE DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK, MAY 2-8

Westchester County Department of Health joins 13 other counties in reminding

residents to “Be Tick Free”

Could it be? The weather is getting warmer and summer is just around the corner. What better time to take advantage of the many outdoor activities Westchester County has to offer? During Tickborne Awareness Week, May 2-8, the Westchester County Department of Health reminds residents to enjoy the great outdoors but also to take precautions to avoid tick bites.

This year Westchester joins 13 other New York counties in launching the “Be Tick Free” campaign to raise awareness of tickborne diseases and the importance of prevention. The “Be Tick Free” campaign and logo were developed through a cooperative effort by state and local health representatives in counties where Lyme disease is prevalent.

"New York State has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the United States, and Westchester ranks among the counties with higher incidences of the disease in the state,” stated Westchester County Health Commissioner Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H. “Unfortunately, it is during this time of the year, when the weather is warmer and people spend more time outdoors, that most people contract Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases. It’s important that residents are aware of measures they can take to prevent getting sick.”

"Efforts to heighten public awareness about tickborne illnesses are in full swing," continued Dr. Lipsman. "We are distributing tickborne disease educational materials throughout the community and making educational presentations to school children and community organizations."

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The most common 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.

Two other tickborne diseases, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, also can be spread through the bite of an infected deer tick and are seen occasionally in our area. Symptoms of the two diseases can include fever, chills and muscle aches. Infection with any or all of the three diseases can occur in the same person at the same time.

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. Ticks are very small and sometimes difficult to see, ranging from the size of a poppy seed to an apple seed. Avoiding tick bites is the best defense against tickborne diseases. To protect yourself from being bitten, always be sure to:

· 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 at least 36 hours before transmitting Lyme disease, so tick

checks and removal at least daily are 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.

· Wear light-colored, tightly-woven clothes to spot ticks more easily. Tuck your pants into socks and shirt into pants.

· Use insect repellents with no more than 30% DEET, but use them sparingly and with care. Select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time spent outdoors. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. A concentration of 24% has been shown to provide an average of five hours of protection. DEET should not be applied more than once a day. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under 2 months of

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age. Carefully read and follow directions on the container and wash treated skin when tick exposure has ended.

· Use landscaping measures around your home or property to make it less attractive for deer and ticks. Consult your local nursery for advice.

For further information on tickborne diseases and their prevention, call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or the County's Tickborne disease Information Line at (914) 813-LYME, or visit the Department’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2005

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