Harmony, NH – Earlier this month, Governor Chris Sununu proclaimed Might as Lyme Illness Consciousness Month in New Hampshire. Lyme illness is the most typical tick-borne sickness, roughly 476,000 folks could get Lyme illness annually in the USA. The Governor’s proclamation inspired residents and guests to follow Lyme illness prevention methods.
 
“Everyone knows somebody who has been affected by Lyme Illness,” stated Governor Chris Sununu. “Because the climate warms and we spend extra time outdoor, it will be important all of us take time to coach ourselves on Lyme Illness, and take easy steps to forestall tick bites.”
 
Based on a survey commissioned by Tick Free NH, final fall 4 in ten New Hampshire residents thought they confronted a excessive or reasonable danger of contracting Lyme illness, down barely since 2020 when slightly below half (46%) felt they had been in danger.  Understanding danger of an infection equates to correct tick safety follow. However excellent news! 22% of New Hampshire residents say that the final time they discovered a tick on their physique, they eliminated it by pulling the tick straight out with tweezers – right and protected elimination strategies are essential for not passing the micro organism right into a physique.

Tickborne sicknesses are on the rise in New Hampshire. There are 5 totally different tickborne sicknesses in New Hampshire: Lyme illness, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus and Borrelia miyamotoi. All of those sicknesses are transmitted by the blacklegged tick, previously referred to as the deer tick. The NH Bureau of Infectious Illness Management displays instances of tickborne sickness within the State and develops instructional applications specializing in the way to forestall tickborne sicknesses.  

“The chance of tick bites begins to extend as quickly because the snow melts,” stated Dr. Benjamin Chan, State Epidemiologist. “It will be significant that individuals take steps now to forestall tick bites and tick-transmitted ailments by utilizing an efficient tick-repellant, sporting lengthy sleeves and pants when outdoors, and checking their our bodies and their pets for ticks each time they’re outdoor, particularly if going into the woods or areas the place there may be lengthy grass and brush.”  

The continued rising variety of instances signifies the necessity for higher consciousness and prevention efforts throughout the State. Rodents and deer are essential hosts for ticks to outlive in the environment. As we lastly enter spring, when tickborne sicknesses begin to improve, it is vitally essential to contemplate methods to make your own home and yard much less enticing to those animals.

“Once I speak with folks in New Hampshire which have had Lyme illness or know individuals who have had it, they usually talk about having to considerably decelerate or miss work whereas sick,” shares Frank Grossman, instigator behind the Tick Free NH initiative.  “Tick Free NH is a public-private partnership with various stakeholders who’re devoted to elevating consciousness in order that residents can defend themselves whereas having fun with our state.”  

Consciousness is essential, greater than half (58%) of New Hampshire residents say that over the previous yr they’ve at all times checked themselves for ticks when in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas.
 
Lyme illness is a severe sickness that may have an effect on folks of any age. The very best methods to guard your self from a tick chew are:

• Put on light-colored protecting clothes and tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks. Ticks solely climb up when feeding and retaining them outdoors your garments and selecting mild colours lets you discover and brush off ticks earlier than they get to your pores and skin.  
• Deal with your footwear and clothes with Permethrin – a chemical that repels and kills ticks, which is sweet for a lot of washes.
• Apply tick repellent each time you go right into a wooded, grassy, or brushy space – this consists of gardening or enjoying in your garden. Repellents with 20-30% DEET are efficient, however there are different EPA repellants efficient towards ticks as properly.
• Put your garments within the dryer on excessive for 10 minutes (or one hour for damp garments) to kill ticks.
• Bathe after being outdoors to scrub off any unattached ticks.
• Conduct a day by day tick test for your self, youngster and pets.

To study Tick Free NH, ordering low- or no-cost supplies in your dwelling, classroom, camp or well being care follow, turning into a member, donating, or sponsoring a NH classroom with instructional supplies, go to TickFreeNH.org, or e-mail tickfreenh@jsi.com.

For extra details about Lyme illness and different tick-borne ailments, go to the New Hampshire Division of Well being and Human Companies Lyme and Different Tickborne Illnesses web page or go to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention web site.