ST. GEORGE — A campaign to prevent tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease this summer was launched Thursday.
Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett joined Staten Island Borough President James Oddo to announce the new campaign — part of the mayor's "Deer Management Plan" — which aims to raise awareness about ticks and illnesses associated with them.
The diseases have become more prevalent in the borough because of the population boom of white-tailed deer in Staten Island.
The DOH added a section to its website with information about ticks. The city's also launched a social media campaign and produced a children's workbook, "All About Ticks," featuring a dog "Tick Check Harry" that teaches kids how to spot and remove the insects.
"Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in New York City and we want to get the word out to people — as we do every year — about how Lyme disease is transmitted," Bassett said.
"If left untreated, it can really be a very serious disease."
Every year, between 400 and 600 New Yorkers contract Lyme disease, caused by bacteria in certain ticks, mostly by visiting rural areas upstate and in Connecticut, Bassett said.
Ticks can be found in parks in the city and Bassett suggested people wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and insect repellent and check themselves when they leave grassy areas.
"We are the borough of parks, we have lots of wonderful recreational opportunities and we want Staten Islanders to be out and active in our parks," Oddo said.
"We want them to take precautionary steps, we want them to be educated and be aware of the things that they can do to limit the threat of Lyme disease."
Bassett also said New Yorkers should shower within two hours of being outdoors to remove any ticks — which can be as small as a poppy seed — and remove them with tweezers if they spot one.
If they develop symptoms like fever, fatigue or a rash officials told people to go to a doctor immediately as Lyme disease can be treated if caught early. If left untreated, it can eventually cause arthritis, memory loss and sleep problems, according to the American Lyme Disease Foundation.
Aside from the online portion of the campaign, Bassett said the city has scheduled presentations for medical students at Staten Island's hospitals and will hold public information sessions on Staten Island.
The campaign will run until early July, Bassett said.
