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County Health Department Issues Advisory On Ticks, Tick-Borne Illnesses

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – As the summer months approach, Westchester County officials urge residents to be aware of ticks and tick-borne illnesses that can be transferred to humans.

The Westchester County Health Department is reminding residents to be aware of ticks this spring and summer.

The Westchester County Health Department is reminding residents to be aware of ticks this spring and summer.

Photo Credit: File

Health Department staff perform active outreach to identify trends in Lyme Disease, human ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases. Thousands of reports are received annually from physicians or laboratories for investigation.

These activities assure that the Health Department has an accurate picture of Lyme Disease and ehrlichiosis in the county and that physicians are provided with the most up-to-date tools to prevent, diagnose and treat tick-borne diseases.

A relatively new and potentially more deadly tick-borne disease, ehrlichiosis, is spreading across Westchester County. Another tickborne disease, babesiosis, is now found in Westchester County. Education, prevention of tick bites, and recognition and treatment of early signs and symptoms remain the best options for fighting tick-borne diseases.

The CDC offers the following tips before going outside:

  • Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in or near wooded or grassy areas. You may come into contact with ticks during outdoor activities around your home or when walking through leaf litter or near shrubs. Always walk in the center of trails in order to avoid contact with ticks.
  • Products containing permethrin kill ticks. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings.
  • Use a repellent with DEET on skin. Repellents containing 20% or more DEET can protect up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding the hands, eyes, and mouth.

After coming inside:

  • Check clothing for ticks. Placing clothes into a dryer on high heat for at least an hour effectively kills ticks.
  • Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce risk of getting Lyme disease.
  • Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, which even includes the backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check under the arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button, back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs and around the waist.

If a tick if found, remove the attached tick by grasping it with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pulling it straight out. 

For more information on how to be tick free and other resources, click here.

The Tick-borne Disease Info-line, (914) 813-LYME, is available 24-hours-a-day with current information about tick-borne diseases and their prevention.

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