TRAFFIC ADVISORY: NVHD IS OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION ON RT. 67! Traffic may temporarily be re-routed to enter the parking lot from Martha St. during construction. There is a uniformed officer daily that can help direct you if this is necessary.
Free COVID-19 Test Kits are available for pick up while supplies last, please call 203-881-3255 x 118
Tick-Borne Diseases
Ticks
Tick-borne diseases are those spread by the bite of an infected tick. These diseases can be caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses, although the diseases caused by bacteria are most common. Several tick species found in Connecticut can spread types of bacteria that can cause illness in humans, and infection with more than one is possible through one tick bite. Symptoms and treatment for each disease depends on the type of bacteria, parasite, or virus causing the illness. There are no vaccines to prevent these diseases. In Connecticut, surveillance is conducted to identify tick-borne diseases spread by ticks in the state and those that might be travel-related (diseases acquired out of the state). The Connecticut Department of Public Health conducts surveillance for the following tick-borne diseases:
Anaplasmosis
Babesiosis
Borrelia miyamotoi Disease
Ehrlichiosis
Lyme Disease
Powassan virus Diease
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Tularemia
Tick species and diseases they can spread in Connecticut include:
Blacklegged (“deer”) Tick
(Ixodes scapularis)
Lone Star Tick
(Amblyomma americanum)
American Dog Tick
(Dermancentor variabilis)
Asian Longhorned Tick
Can spread:
Anaplasmosis
Babesiosis
Borrelia miyamotoi disease
Lyme disease
Powassan virus disease (can also be spread by Ixodes cookei)
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
Tularemia
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Tularemia
According to the CDC, “we do not yet know if and how often these ticks are able to pass these germs along to people and make them ill…..One recent experimental study found that this tick is not likely to contribute to the spread of Lyme disease bacteria in the United States.” (CDC, September 2021)
Tick Removal
Backyard Behavior Tick Study
Are your backyard activities increasing your chances of a tick bite? We need your help with scientific research to figure that out. NVHD has partnered with with Western Connecticut State University Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory to conduct a survey among residents that submit ticks for testing or identification. Visit wcsuticklab.com/ticks for more information.