CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Department of Public Health (CCPHD) in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) continue to investigate and monitor the spread of Lyme Disease throughout New York State.

Here are some general seasonal awareness tips and information about the elusive deer tick, and how county residents can both prepare, limit and protect themselves to the exposure of bacterial infection of Lyme’s disease this summer.

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick, and if left untreated can cause a number of serious health problems such as skin, heart, nervous system and arthritic problems.

Ticks can be found throughout most places in New York State, and rural Chenango county is a prime habitat for deer tick.

Wooded and bushy areas are especially dense with ticks as this is usually where ticks feed on birds, mice and deer. Exposure to ticks carrying Lyme Disease is generally elevated beginning in mid May to early June.

Infected ticks can transmit the Lyme bacteria during it's feeding process, when it attaches itself to a host mammal and draws in blood for nourishment, much like a leech.

Ticks can stay attached for approximately two to four days and become engorged with blood. It will later drop off, possibly undetected.