It's Tick Season!

The tick season is officially underway. The Trumbull Health Department encourages residents to protect themselves against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases by conducting daily tick checks. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Most cases of Lyme disease are associated with the nymphal stage of the deer tick. Nymphs are small (about the size of a pinhead), difficult to spot, and are active during the late spring and summer months when you and your family spend more time outdoors. Peak season for ticks is from April to September. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 1,238 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in CT in 2016. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.

“Symptoms of Lyme disease can include headache, fatigue, fever, and a skin rash,” said Rhonda Capuano, Trumbull Health Department Director of Health. “Your best defense is to dress appropriately when outdoors and to conduct daily tick checks.”

Children are at high risk for Lyme disease. The incidence of Lyme disease is higher in children under the age of 10 than in any other age group. Use personal protection techniques consistently and enjoy being outside without the fear of tick-borne diseases.

The Health Department encourages residents to take these action steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from ticks:

• Know where ticks live and avoid these habitats.
• Conduct daily tick checks on family and pets. Remove any ticks promptly with tweezers. Do not use rubbing alcohol or soap and water to remove the tick.
• Dress appropriately when entering areas where ticks live. Wear long pant, light in color, tucked into socks; wear long shirt, tucked into pants; cover hair with a hat. Remove and check clothing for ticks after leaving any suspect tick habitat
• Use insect (and tick) repellent to reduce tick exposure. There are many varieties including botanical, herbal or natural-based repellents. Choose what is right for you. For more information on repellents visit the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at www.ct.gov/caes. Use veterinarian recommended control products on pets. Be sure to follow manufacturers’ recommendations.

Ticks removed from humans can be brought to THD for testing, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The cost is $3.00. Ticks are sent to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for testing and results will be mailed to you. Please bring all ticks to the Health District in a plastic Ziploc bag.

For more information about Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, visit the Trumbull Health Department at www.trumbull-ct.gov/thd.

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The Trumbull Health Department is committed to improving the quality of life for all it serves through the promotion of health, prevention of disease, and by assuring a safe and clean environment for our residents. For more information about the Trumbull Health Department call 203-452-1030 or visit trumbull-ct.gov/THD.