National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and the Return of Tick Season

May was National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and an important reminder for people on tick bite prevention.  This is especially true this time of year as warm temperatures make it a particularly active time of year for ticks as people enjoy the outdoors.
 
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny (less than 2 mm) and difficult to see; they feed during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks can also transmit Lyme disease bacteria, but they are much larger and are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have had time to transmit the bacteria.”
 
Ticks can attach to any part of the human body, but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits and scalp. The CDC reports that in most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted.  For those who do become infected, symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.
 
“Ticks can be tested for Borrelia burgdorferi and EMSL Analytical, Inc. has developed a Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit for the general public,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “The tick is sent to EMSL and then tested using an exceptionally accurate and powerful analysis that harnesses the power of PCR-based DNA analysis. If the results come back positive for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, medical professionals can then be contacted to begin the appropriate treatment options.”
 
To obtain a Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit or to learn more, please visit: www.EMSLTestKits.com. EMSL has also released an online video about tick-borne diseases and pathogens that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/teOGxDB9SCM.
 
For addition information about this or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.TickTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) (856) 303-2503

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