Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman are recognizing Lyme Disease Awareness Month and encourage residents to protect themselves and their families while enjoying outdoor activities.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and also starts the beginning of tick season. Orange County has historically been a hot spot for Lyme disease cases. Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by the bite of a female deer tick. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including muscle and nerve pain, and arthritis. As the disease progresses, it can cause facial palsy, short-term memory problems, and even an irregular heartbeat. If you notice these signs or symptoms, consult a health care provider immediately.

The most noticeable early sign is a rash resembling a bullseye, or solid patch, which usually, but not always, develops between three and 30 days after the tick bite. The rash can expand over time and last for several weeks. However, in some cases, no rash appears. 

If you find a tick attached to your body, remove it by taking the following steps: using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouthparts, as close to the skin as possible; don’t twist or jerk the tick, this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin; pull the tick in a steady, upward motion away from the skin. 

After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Wash your hands carefully.

The Orange County Health Department can identify a tick to determine the type of tick and the potential risk of it transmitting disease. Bring the entire tick in a plastic bag or small container to the Health Department office located at the 1887 County Building, 124 Main St. in Goshen or to 130 Broadway in Newburgh. The Health Department can be reached at 291-2332 or orangecountygov.com.