In 1999, Lyme Disease continued to be a significant disease in Westchester County. The number will grow as reports of Lyme Disease cases contracted during 1999 continue to arrive at the Westchester County Department of Health. A relatively new and potentially more deadly tickborne disease, ehrlichiosis, continues to spread in Westchester County. Education, prevention of tick bites and recognition and treatment of early signs and symptoms remain our best weapon in the battle against tickborne diseases. Through the Lower Hudson Valley Regional Tickborne Disease Advisory Council, health professionals, community advocates, and physicians are updated quarterly on the latest research, treatments and prevention of Lyme Disease and ehrlichiosis.
Members share strategies and health education materials used to combat tickborne diseases.
In 1999, the Health Department collaborated with the Louis Calder Center to address tickborne disease issues in Westchester County such as non chemical approaches to reducing tick populations and the initiation of a county-wide tick identification program to be implemented in 2000. Regional Tickborne Disease Awareness Week is proclaimed annually in the Lower Hudson Valley Region. Health Educators are available for presentations to schools, camps, landscape and day laborers, corporate groups, and community based organizations through the County's Speakers Bureau Program. Health Educators, upon request, also attend local health fairs throughout the County. Keeping up with the latest technology, the Health Department posts current tickborne disease information on the website.