Newtown CT Lyme Disease and Tick Testing

The Town of Newtown CT wants its residents to have information about tick testing if they find and remove a tick from their body. Tick season runs from mid-May each year through November when ticks become less active. Last year over 200 ticks were tested through the town’s testing efforts.  You can see the results on the Newtown CT Lyme Disease testing page. It looks like it’s going to be a busy year for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), which is providing the testing services.

On the tick web page, you can see how many test results are positive for Lyme Disease in real-time on the page. Ticks are tested by the CAES each year and the detailed results are published anonymously. A control number is used in reporting every tick submitted, so no individual names are identified on the web page results. The individual who submitted the tick for testing is notified by phone, or they can use the web site to find their tick report. Residents can receive up-to-date information on the number of ticks being turned in and the results.

One thing to know is that only deer ticks (black-legged ticks) that are engorged with blood will be tested. Ticks will only be tested for Lyme Disease and no other tick-borne infections. The reason only deer ticks are tested is because they are the ones responsible for Lyme Disease. In addition, only engorged ticks will be tested because scientists believe ticks not engorged with blood are unlikely to transmit the disease. There is no fee for this testing service.

The Newtown tick web page provides plenty of useful information on the tick-testing program, as well as the B-L-A-S-T prevention program. On the page are other resources you can use to understand better how to prevent ticks from biting, how to identify the kind of tick you see and when to seek treatment for a tick bite. If you’re not familiar with all of the steps you can take to ensure that you and your family are protected from ticks this year, consider taking the time to review the page before tick season reaches its peak this summer.