Media Advisory: Tick Sweep - State Health Officials Drag for Ticks, Demonstrate Prevention Against Tick Bites and Exposure to Lyme Disease

Most cases of Lyme disease are contracted from mid-May through July

(ALBANY, N.Y.) May 26, 2015 - In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, on Wednesday, May 27, state health officials will join Saratoga County health officials on a tick collecting exercise and demonstrate how to avoid tick bites to prevent the transmission of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

WHAT:

  • Demonstrate personal protection methods and use of insect repellants, as well as proper removal of ticks from the skin, followed by a "drag for ticks," exercise to collect ticks to assess risk of tick-borne disease to the public. The technique involves dragging a piece of white fabric through vegetation to simulate an animal or person brushing up against the vegetation. Ticks are then picked off the fabric.

WHO:

  • Bryon Backenson, Epidemiologist, Director of Investigations and Vector Surveillance units, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, New York State Department of Health; Phil Barrett, Clifton Park Town Supervisor; Cathi Duncan, RN, BSN, Saratoga County Public Health Director.

WHEN:

  • Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 12:00 noon

WHERE:

  • Veterans Memorial Park and Mooney Carrese Forest
    697 Mac Elroy Road
    Ballston Lake, N.Y.

Note: Media planning to attend should wear comfortable clothing and shoes