West NY News

MAYVILLE, NY – In light of the warmer weather and the arrival of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the Chautauqua County Health Department is urging residents to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent tick bites and Lyme disease.

Director of Environmental Health, Jessica Wuerstle, emphasized the importance of understanding how to handle tick encounters, stating, "Not all ticks cause disease and not all tick bites will make you sick, but it's important to learn how to prevent a bite, how to remove a tick and what to do if you think you were exposed to a tick-borne disease."

The prevalence of Lyme disease has more than doubled in Chautauqua County since 2014, with the disease being spread to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight the need to promptly remove ticks, as transmission of the Lyme disease-causing bacterium typically requires a tick to be attached for more than 36 hours.

To protect oneself from tick bites, the Health Department recommends wearing light-colored clothing with a tight weave, enclosed shoes, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Additionally, individuals are advised to use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, stay on well-traveled trails, and avoid dense wooded areas.

In case of a tick bite, it is essential to remove the tick immediately with fine point tweezers and seek medical advice, especially if the tick was attached for an unknown duration or is engorged with blood. Symptoms of Lyme disease, such as a bullseye-like rash, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, should prompt immediate medical attention.

The Chautauqua County Health Department provides valuable information on Lyme disease prevention and symptoms, directing individuals to resources such as www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme and www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html.

For those looking for more information about the Chautauqua County Health Department and its commitment to public health, visit www.HealthyCHQ.com.