Governor Cuomo Releases Lyme and Tick Control Plan For Central New York

With over 50% of the ticks in CNY carrying Lyme disease, Governor Cuomo has announced an aggressive Lyme and tick-borne disease control plan.

Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease, are among the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States. The Governor has directed the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation and others to collaborate and prioritize counties and public lands with the highest risk of tick exposure and Lyme disease. Tick season has started in many areas of the state and will continue through November.

Tick Control Methods To Be Used In NYS: 

• A strategic application of eco-friendly tick control treatments on parkland in the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, and Southern Tier where the public is at the highest risk of tick exposure and Lyme disease.
• The state will expand the use of 4-Poster "tickicide" deer treatment feeding stations that help to control ticks spread by white-tailed deer.
• The state will expand the use of commercial products to combat the spread of Lyme disease by rodents.
• Conduct aggressive routine maintenance of vegetation areas at parks to minimize potential exposure of visitors to ticks.
• Develop a campaign focused on deploying information about tick-borne disease and prevention.
• Develop a better diagnostic test for Lyme disease, which can ultimately lead to more effective treatments.

Tick Prevention Tips:

While hiking, working or spending time in wooded areas:

• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect against ticks other biting insects
• Check for ticks every two to three hours while outdoors and brush off any ticks before they attach
• Perform a full body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day to ensure that no ticks are attached
• Consider use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, following label instructions

For more information about Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/.