Lyme Disease Warnings as Tick Season Ramps Up
Key Questions
Why are health officials warning about Lyme disease in New Jersey right now?
Tick season is ramping up, leading to a 25% increase in hospital visits for Lyme disease. Thousands are affected yearly in NJ, especially during outdoor activities.
Which Sussex County outdoor events carry a higher risk for Lyme disease exposure?
Activities like trout fishing, hikes, zoo visits, festivals such as the Skylands Food Truck Fest on May 2, and reenactments pose risks due to increased tick presence. Families attending kid-friendly events this weekend should also stay vigilant.
What are the best ways to prevent Lyme disease from ticks?
Use DEET repellent, perform thorough tick checks after outdoor time, and tuck pants into socks. These measures complement other safety alerts like fire warnings and Rutgers tick ID programs.
Health officials warn of Lyme surge with tick season; +25% hospital visits, thousands affected yearly in NJ—critical safety for Sussex outdoor events like trout fishing, hikes, zoos, fests, Skylands Food Truck Fest May 2, reenactments. Prevention: DEET, tick checks, pants tucked; complements fire alerts and Rutgers ID program.