Tick-Borne Diseases

Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses have become among the fastest-growing infectious diseases in the United States. Cases have been reported in all 50 states, with the greatest number being reported in New England. Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases are of particular concern for residents in the District.

The great majority of ticks can be found in the woods and the area that extends about three yards adjacent to the woods. They are concentrated near stone walls, flower beds, ornamental shrubs, and groundcovers such as myrtle or pachysandra. You can minimize ticks on your property by keeping the grass cut short and planting a deer-resistant yard.

Lyme Disease Prevention

Ledge Light Health District works with citizens, schools, and others in our area to reduce and prevent further cases of Lyme disease in Southeastern Connecticut.

 Our program’s educational activities include:

  • Speaking with community groups about personal protection measures.
  • Maintaining demonstration gardens that show deer-resistant landscaping techniques.
  • Distributing Lyme disease information at local health fairs and public events.
  • Media campaigns – including newspaper displays, TV/radio public service announcements, pamphlets, banners, and signs – that educate the public about Lyme disease and personal protection measures.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A TICK!

Ledge Light Health District accepts only Ixodes scapularis (black-legged ‘deer’ ticks) that have been found on the bodies of citizens of our jurisdiction.  You can bring or mail the deer tick with the completed Tick Submission Form to Ledge Light Health District, and we will forward the tick for testing at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES).

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station only tests engorged Ixodes scapularis (black-legged ‘deer’ ticks) that have a risk of transmitting the causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis to a human host. Due to limited resources at the Tick Testing Program and a relatively small percentage of ticks infected, ticks are not currently tested for the Powassan virus. However, given the potential human health risk, preparations are underway to test ticks for this virus and other pathogens.

 Please note the following guidelines for tick submission:

  • Remove the tick with tweezers or forceps.
  • Do not apply oils, soaps, alcohol, etc., to the tick to remove it.  Do NOT use tape to ‘hold’ the tick in place.  Using these products may delay the testing process.
  • After removal, clean the skin area with an antibiotic/antiseptic product.
  • Place the tick in a zip baggie (with a few blades of grass if it’s alive).
  • Complete the submission form. Mail or bring the deer tick to Ledge Light Health District, 216 Broad Street, New London, CT  06320. Or mail your submission form and tick directly to the lab in preferably a padded envelope:

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Tick-Testing Laboratory
Jenkins-Waggoner Building
123 Huntington Street
New Haven, CT 06511

  • Your tick will be tested at the CAES laboratory. The CAES lab will only be testing Ixodes scapularis (black-legged ‘deer’ ticks) that have ingested human blood.
  • Your tick testing results will be emailed to you and can take up to 4 weeks.

Where to Test Other Ticks

  • The CAES laboratory does not test the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) or the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) as they are not vectors for the aforementioned disease-causing agents. If you would like to submit a dog tick or lone star tick for testing, please call one of the laboratories listed below to confirm testing availability:

Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
61 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3203
Storrs, CT 06269-3203
(860) 486-3738

Cost: $55-125/tick for species identification and testing for up to 4 different bacteria that can be carried by ticks. Results are available in 3-5 business days after receiving the tick. Rush service is available for an additional $25.

TickReport
29C Cottage Street
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 230-3196