Ah, Summer! Beaches, boating, ball games, BBQ’s, and Vector Borne Diseases. “Vector Borne Diseases” is a relatively LARGE term that is brought on by two incredibly small organisms; mosquitos and ticks –and with the warmer weather we are at an increased risk of coming into contact with these organisms. Thankfully, CK Public Health Inspectors have “got your back” and are … Read More
5 Things You Can Do to Protect Yourself from Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. The best way to protect yourself from Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. Here are five things you can do to reduce your chances of Lyme disease: 1. Cover up! Wearing long sleeved shirts and pants keeps ticks off your skin where they can … Read More
How NOT to remove ticks (and how to do it right)
Do you know how to remove ticks from your body? Removing blacklegged ticks promptly can reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease, but it’s important to do it correctly. Irritating or killing the tick while removing it can cause it to vomit bacteria into your body, increasing your risk of Lyme disease. Here’s what NOT to do: WRONG: Burning the … Read More
Everything You Wanted to Know About Lyme Disease, but Were Afraid to Ask
Questions about Lyme disease? Read our FAQ to learn how you can protect yourself. What is Lyme disease? How do you get it? How do you know if you have Lyme disease? Are there ticks in Chatham-Kent? What do blacklegged ticks look like? How can I protect myself from Lyme disease? I found a tick on my body! What do … Read More
How to Properly Remove a Tick!
HOW TO PROPERLY REMOVE A TICK! DO! Use fine tipped tweezers Firmly grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible Steadily pull the tick’s body away from your skin using an upwards motion Place the tick in a small sealed plastic container Wash the bite site with warm water and soap Bring the tick to the Chatham-Kent Public … Read More