Lyme Disease is not just a problem in downstate New York or in Lyme, Connecticut.  The ticks that are most commonly associated with Lyme Disease have been found in Chemung County.  As a matter of fact, the most recent survey for ticks conducted by the New York State Department of Health found that more than half of all ticks tested carried the bacteria known to cause Lyme Disease. 

A total of 50 adult ticks were collected from Newtown Battlefield State Park in October 2016.  Twelve ticks (24%) tested positive for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacterium.  Of 50 nymphal deer ticks collected in June 2016, 15 were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, an infection rate of 30%. Sampling occurred at a new site in 2015 at Mark Twain State Park (Soaring Eagles Golf Course) where 13 adult ticks were collected with 4 testing positive for the Lyme disease bacterium (infection rate of 30.8%).  Ticks have no geographic boundaries. The fact that they have been found numerous years at Newtown Battlefield (...also known as Sullivan's Monument) and with the new sampling in the Town of Veteran, this would lead us to conclude that they are located in other parts of Chemung County as well.  As such, when you are experiencing the outdoors, be aware that you could become exposed to ticks.  Learn what you can do to avoid getting ticks on your body and what you can do if you discover a tick on your body.  This could also be a problem if you have pets that roam in the outdoors.

Listed below are two links that can provide you with more information on Lyme Disease:

New York State Department of Health Lyme Disease Webpage

Federal Centers for Disease Control Lyme Disease Webpage

Tick-Borne Diseases