Guide available to prevent tick bites, Lyme disease

Spending time outside this fall, gardening, hiking, camping or hunting? Then a guide on preventing tick-borne diseases may be important to have on hand.

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Health, is offering an informative guide to educate Amherst residents on ways to protect themselves against potential tick-borne diseases that may cause chronic health conditions, such as Lyme Disease.

More than 73,000 cases of Lyme disease have been reported to the State Health Department since it first became a reportable disease in 1986. Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an infected deer tick. Ticks are active when the weather stays above freezing, usually from April through November. In tick infested areas, any contact with vegetation, even playing in the yard, can result in exposure to ticks.

"Be Tick Free: A Guide for preventing Lyme Disease," offers information about the use of repellents, how to perform a tick check on your pets, how to remove a tick and the symptoms of tick-borne diseases.

To request a copy of the free guide, contact Hayes' district office at 634-1895 or via e-mail at hayesj@ assembly. state. ny. us.