If you plan to spend time outdoors this summer, it is important to be aware of ticks, which are known carriers of Lyme disease. This illness is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, particularly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest regions. Ticks are most active during the summer and fall, especially in wooded or grassy areas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year due to infected black-legged ticks. In New York State alone, there were 771 confirmed cases last year according to the Broome County Health Department. The CDC links the spread of Lyme disease to environmental factors like climate change.
Outdoor activities such as hiking or gardening increase the likelihood of encountering ticks. Anne DePugh from UHS advises doing a daily skin check when outside: “If you’re outside, you should do a skin check daily… Removing a tick within 36 hours decreases the risk of Lyme disease.”
Precautions include covering your skin in grassy areas, using EPA-registered insect repellents, taking warm showers after outdoor activities, and checking clothing and pets for ticks. It is crucial to remove any ticks promptly using tweezers and disinfecting the site afterward.
Lyme disease diagnosis relies on symptoms review and blood tests. Early signs include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and erythema migrans rash. If untreated, it can affect joints and organs.
DePugh emphasizes awareness: “Awareness is the key here; the best way to prevent Lyme disease…is to be mindful of your outside activities.” For more information on UHS services visit nyuhs.org.
