Connecticut Tests Find Up to 50% of Ticks Carry Lyme Bacteria
Updated
Updated · NBC Connecticut · Jun 15
Connecticut Tests Find Up to 50% of Ticks Carry Lyme Bacteria
2 articles · Updated · NBC Connecticut · Jun 15
Summary
Nearly 3,000 ticks had been submitted for testing in Connecticut by June 1, and researchers say up to half carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease.
June is especially risky because poppy-seed-sized nymph ticks are hard to spot, while fieldwork has already turned up more than 1,000 ticks in a single hour.
Climate change, rising rodent populations, expanding tick species and a snowpack that insulated ticks through winter all helped drive the heavy season, experts said.
Officials say exposure often happens in backyards or through pets bringing ticks indoors, and they urge repellent, protective clothing and avoiding tall grass.