PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
September 5, 2018

Shereef Elnahal
Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

Media Advisory: NJ Health Commissioner Visits Monmouth County to Promote Tick-Borne Disease Awareness

Don’t let a TICK make you SICK

New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal will join the Monmouth County Health Department in Wall Township on Thursday, Sept. 6 to raise awareness of tick-borne diseases and encourage residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families.

Although May, June and July are the peak months for tickborne disease, ticks that transmit disease are active throughout the year. Ticks in New Jersey can transmit a number of diseases, however the most common is Lyme Disease.

“If you’ve been bitten by a tick, it is important to check for symptoms and talk to a healthcare provider,” Commissioner Elnahal said. “Early signs of tick-borne diseases may include skin rash, tiredness, fever/chills, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, joint pain and dizziness.”

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Ixodes scapularis ticks and is not spread from person to person.

The event on Thursday will begin at 11 a.m. at Shark River Park, 1101 School House Road, Wall Township, 07753 (Please use main entrance to the park). Monmouth County Health Department officials will also perform a demonstration showing how tick surveillance is conducted.

“Monmouth County’s unique tick identification and surveillance programs are critical in the fight against Lyme Disease and other tick related illnesses,” said Freeholder Patrick Impreveduto. “Coupled with our strong educational programs, we hope to greatly decrease these issues to ensure the health of our residents.”

Similar to national trends, diseases from ticks have also increased in New Jersey.

Last year, there were more than 5,000 cases of Lyme Disease diagnosed in New Jersey and more than 500 of those cases were in Monmouth County.

So far this year, there have been more than 2,100 cases of Lyme disease diagnosed across the state.

The Department launched its Lyme disease prevention campaign last month to educate the public about how to prevent tickborne diseases. The campaign includes billboards around the state, digital advertising and a promotional social media campaign about tick prevention with the slogan, “Don’t Let a Tick Make You Sick” and the hashtag #TargetTicksNJ.

To prevent Lyme disease, it is important to avoid tick bites by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, avoiding wooded areas with dense shrubs, checking yourself, children and pets after time outdoors and keeping shrubs and lawns trimmed.

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Last Reviewed: 9/5/2018