As part of annual surveillance efforts, New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) collect and test ticks from locations across New York State to monitor for specific tick-borne pathogens. Testing is currently conducted for the presence of pathogens in Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged ticks or deer ticks).
Ixodes Scapularis adults primarily feed on deer or larger mammals, and will feed on humans. Adult deer ticks are typically active from mid-October until temperatures are consistently below freezing. They are also present in late winter and early spring, from March through June.
The testing includes attempting to collect 50 ticks in the location area. In Oneida County, 50 deer ticks were collected and 26 were positive for bacterial causative agent of Lyme disease with an infection rate of 52%. The sample was negative for all other pathogens tested.
Preventing Tick Bites
- Avoid Direct Contact with Ticks
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
- Walk in the center of trails.
- Repel Ticks on Skin and Clothing
Use repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours.
Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washing’s. Pre-treated clothing is available and may be protective longer.
- Find and Remove Ticks from Your Body
Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming inside to wash off and easily find ticks that are crawling.
Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
Examine gear and pets.
Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors.
Any questions please call the Oneida County Health Department at 315.798.6400
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