1. LYME DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE INFECTIOUSE DISEASE REPORTED IN BEDFORD The Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, is spread through the bite of infected deer ticks. Young ticks (nymphs) are most active during the warm weather months between May and August. Adult ticks are most active during the spring and fall but may also be out during the winter when temperatures are above freezing The tick usually must be attached to a person for at lease 24 hours before it can transmit the germ. Deer ticks in Massachusetts can also carry the germs that cause babesiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA)

2. 10 Years Lyme Disease (2004-2013) Reported in Bedford

3. Confirmed Lyme Disease (2003-2014) Case Distribution by Age

4. Where do Ticks live? Ticks LIKE to live in: Shady, moist areas Weedy areas Wood piles Stone walls Leaf litter Ticks do NOT LIKE to live in: Sunny areas Clear pathways or trails Well mowed lawns in sunlight Ticks can even live in your backyard! You can reduce tick numbers around your home by keeping grass, bushes and plants cut short to avoid attracting deer and harboring the ticks. Also remove leaf litter and brush from around your home.

5. Prevention begins with you! Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks after coming inside from brushy, wooded, high grassy areas. Wear a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt with long pants and tuck your pants into your socks. Use repellents that contain DEET on your exposed skin. Always follow the product instructions and use repellents with no more than 30% DEET on children older than 2 months of age. Never use DEET on infants under 2 months of age. Permethrin is a product that can be used on your clothes. Remember to use pesticides wisely Protect your family your pets and you from tick bites

7. What should you do if you find a tick on yourself? The tick should be removed as soon as possible. Use fine point tweezers to grip the mouth parts of the tick as close to the skin as possible. (for more detail visit www.bedfordma.gov/boh) The longer an infected tick remains attached to a person or animal, the higher the likelihood of disease transmission Talk to your doctor if you develop a rash where you were bitten or experience symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, or sore and aching muscles and joints. If a tick bite you, you can submit the tick to the LMZ for free testing starting on April 1. (For details please visit www.bedfordm.gov/boh) New!

8. Remember: 1.Play in areas where ticks don’t like to live. 2.Dress safely to protect yourself from tick bites. 3.Looks for ticks on your body and clothes. 4.Have your parents or an adult you trust check your whole body and head for ticks. 5.Ask your parents to check pets for ticks.