Tick Prevention Tips: Experts Warn of Rough Season and Rising Lyme Disease Cases

Rising Tick Bites and Lyme Disease Concerns

• ⚠️ Doctors nationwide are warning that tick bites are on the rise, with the CDC estimating 500,000 people in the US will contract Lyme disease this year.
• 🦌 Wildlife experts predict a rough tick season based on observations, noting an alarming concentration of ticks on animals.
• 💔 A tragic example was shared of a fawn at Sweet Brier Nature Center that died from a severe tick infestation, likely thousands of ticks.
• 🐦 For the first time, ticks have been observed on goslings, leading to anemia and difficulty walking, indicating a widespread issue.

Tick Dangers and Human Impact

• 😨 The increasing tick population raises concerns about the potential impact on human health.
• 🧒 Doctors identify children between ages 5 and 9 as the most at-risk population for tick-borne illnesses.
• 💡 While the lone star tick, common on Long Island, does not carry Lyme disease, the overall increase in ticks and deer population contributes to the steady flow of cases.

Effective Tick Prevention Strategies

• 📌 Parents are urged to be vigilant in checking children for ticks, especially after outdoor activities.
• 🪞 For tick removal, use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up.
• 👕 A lint roller can be an effective tool for removing ticks from clothing and skin after being in wooded areas.
• 🔬 Collected ticks can be placed in a container and brought to a medical provider to identify the type of tick and assess risk.
• 🗺️ Based on wildlife observations, a busy tick season is anticipated in areas like Smithtown.