Ticks and Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease and other Tick-borne Diseases
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and local health departments continue to investigate the spread of Lyme disease throughout New York State. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. Untreated, the disease can cause a number of health problems. Patients treated with antibiotics in the early stage of the infection usually recover rapidly and completely. Since Lyme disease first became reportable in 1986, over 72,000 cases have now been confirmed in New York State.
The NYSDOH and local health departments also investigate several other tick-borne diseases, including babesiosis, ehrlichiosis (both human granulocytic anaplasmosis and human monocytic ehrlichiosis) and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These tick-borne diseases are most frequently found on Long Island and in the lower Hudson Valley region. The number of cases of these diseases is much smaller in comparison to the cases of Lyme disease but their numbers are also increasing.
Tick & Lyme Disease Information
- Be Tick Free - A Guide for Preventing Lyme Disease
- Governor's Proclamation - May is "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" (May 2008)
- Lyme Disease Fact Sheet
- "How to Remove a Tick - Lyme Disease Alert" is also available in PDF format (124KB, 1pg.)
- How to Remove a Tick - Lyme Disease Alert graphic (27KB)
- Ticks & Lyme Disease (brochure) (PDF, 471KB, 4pg.)
- La Garrapata y La Enfermedad De Lyme (folleto) (PDF, 315KB, 4pg.)
- Lyme Disease Data and Statistics
Other Diseases Spread by Ticks
Tick and Insect Repellants
Personal Protection
There are many different products on the market, with different ingredients, concentrations and effectiveness. The most effective contain DEET, permethrin (only to be applied on clothing), picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. If you decide to use one, be sure to follow label directions and apply repellent carefully.
- Tick and Insect Repellents: Deciding on Their Use (available in multiple languages)
- Health Advisory - Tick and Insect Repellents
- Dress to Repel!
- "Dress to Repel!" is also available in PDF format (325KB, 1pg.)
- ¡Vestido para Repeler!
- "¡Vestido para Repeler!" is also available in PDF format (569KB, 1pg.)