Warmer weather has arrived, and with it comes an increased risk of encounters with disease-carrying ticks. Warren County Health Services has been receiving numerous illness reports stemming from tick bites this spring as more people head outdoors.
To help residents learn more about the disease threat from ticks, staff from the Public Health arm of Warren County Health Services have four events planned in the coming weeks to educate residents and to distribute free tick removal kits for use when people or pets are bitten.
Lyme Disease, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are among diseases that are spread locally by ticks that can cause life-threatening illness.
Warren County has high per capita rates of Lyme Disease according to New York State Department of Health data, with 151.8 cases per 100,000 residents in 2019-2021, compared to the NY State statewide rate of 54.1 cases per 100,000 residents, not including New York City.
In addition, Warren County Health Services has received reports from medical providers of eight confirmed anaplasmosis cases among county residents so far in 2024, with recent averages of 35-40 resident anaplasmosis infections per year.
Said Ginelle Jones, Warren County Health Services Director: “Diseases spread through tick bites can be very serious, so promptly removing a tick that has latched on, and treating any illness that may develop quickly, are imperative. Our Public Health educators will have free tick removal kits at our events, and plenty of helpful information for residents to know how to prevent bites and what to do if you are bitten. We strongly encourage anyone who has bitten to reach out to their medical provider to determine if any followup care is needed.”
Staff from Warren County Public Health will hold tick education events:
- Thursday, May 23, at Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve trailhead, Hudson Pointe Blvd, Queensbury. Staff will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thursday, May 30, Stony Creek Free Library, 37 Harrisburg Road, Stony Creek. Program starts at 5 p.m.
- Thursday, May 30, Prospect Mountain Day Use Area, Lake George (Top of the mountain via auto road or hiking trail). Staff on hand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thursday, June 27, Hague Town Park, Route 9N, Hague. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Those who can’t attend any of these events but would like more information can call Warren County Health Services at 518-761-6580 or find helpful online information here.