Prevent Lyme Disease, Check For Ticks

Calaveras County, CA -- As the weather turns nice and more people venture outside, California legislators are urging awareness about Lyme Disease.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month throughout the state.

Lyme Disease is transmitted through deer ticks, which are carried by birds, mice, deer, and other animals.

To prevent the disease, Calaveras County Public Health Officer Dr. Dean Kaleita recommends applying insect repellent with DEET.

Any ticks should be removed using tweezers or a special tick-remover. To become infected, a tick must be embedded for more than 24 hours. The first sign of infection is a red bulls eye rash.

Since 1993 there has only been two reported cases of the disease in Calaveras. The latest case was reported in February in the Rail Road Flat area.

For more information visit www.LymeDisease.org.

Written by Vanessa Turner.