Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a spirochete named Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria have been in the U.S. for over 100 years.  New Jersey is endemic for Lyme Disease.

Children and adults during school, work and recreational activities may contract it through contact with ticks.  It is important to instruct individuals whose residential or recreational habits bring them in contact with Lyme or other tick endemic areas about appropriate prevention measures.

Prevention measures include:

  • Clear brush and leaf litter from property around the home.
  • Avoid brush and leaf letter or tall grass when in the woods.
  • Wear socks, shoes and pants with the bottoms tucked into socks.
  • Wear a shirt with a snug collar, long sleeves and cuffs.  Tuck shirt into pants.  Tuck pant legs into socks.  Ticks will be forced to crawl on the outside of clothing, where they can be more easily seen and removed.
  • Detect ticks easier by wearing light colored clothing.
  • Use repellents.  Read label directions carefully.
  • Wash away unattached ticks by showering after an outing.
  • Frequently examine yourself, family members and pets for ticks, keeping in mind that immature ticks are as small as the size of a pinhead.
  • Learn to recognize the medically important ticks of New Jersey.

For more information on Lyme Disease, click “Lyme.”