DOSSIER: Tick discussion continues on the South Shore – News – Norwell Mariner



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At the beginning of summer, ticks begin to emerge from undergrowth;

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, can be transmitted to humans only when bitten by deer-infected ticks, which are transported by wildlife and animals domestic

. Marshfield reported 136 cases of Lyme disease. During the first four months of 2018, there were 12 cases.

"We have brochures and tick identifications in our office," said Robert Valery, Deputy Director of Public Health, Marshfield. "We are trying to educate our citizens about preventative measures."

Early signs of Lyme disease include red, circular and bullous rashes, often accompanied by muscle and joint pain

"We advise people to stay away from nature trails during walks, "said Peter Falabella, Marshfield's director of public health. "Ticks do not jump on you, they touch you."

Authorities recommend that residents keep a three-foot barrier of wood chips or soil between their lawn and neighboring woods to prevent tall grass from growing at the border.

In Norwell, cases of Lyme disease have decreased in recent years, with 12 cases reported in July and seven in August 2016. This year, only six cases were reported, one in March, one in April and four in May

In order to better educate residents about Lyme disease, the Norwell Health Board has partnered with UMass Boston for tick tests. Residents are asked to submit ticks that have them bitten to the university to be tested for Lyme disease.

The department also allows residents to come in the spring with their shoes to spray them with ticks.

to find ticks in tall grasses in or around woods, "said Brain Flynn, Norwell's health worker. "You are likely to be bitten by ticks on forest walks."

The most readily available statistics for the South Shore are from 2014. The new Plymouth County Etymologist, Blake Dinius reported 203 cases of Lyme disease in Hingham, 171 in Scituate, 324 in Norwell and 241 in Pembroke.

In the case of Norwell, the number of cases seems to have decreased in recent years, perhaps due to the increase in information sessions on Lyme disease and the prevention of ticks

. organizes seminars on ticks early in the summer, most free, as well as tips on protecting pets from ticks.

"You should do tick checks on your pet," says Dinius. Anti-tick treatments reduce encounters but are not 100% effective under all circumstances and conditions.

To protect pets, experts advise pet owners to obtain flea collars and ticks and vaccinate them against Lyme disease. There are also specific treatments for dogs and cats and it is important not to mix the two treatments.

Doctors advise to remove ticks with the aid of a tweezers, pulling directly on the skin and not to twist the tick.

To prevent tick bites, it is advisable for residents of the South Shore to avoid wooded areas and places where the grass is long and to use insect repellents not containing more than 30% of DEET (diethyltoluamide). within two hours after being out to dislodge ticks and perform full body checks, especially under the arms, knees, in and around your ears and in your hair.

There will be a Tick March with the Northern and Southern Rivers Association. at the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, on the Winslow Cemetery Road, in Marshfield, on Saturday, June 30, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm as well as a Tick Talk at the Paul Pratt Memorial Library in Cohasset on Tuesday July 10th from 7pm to 8:30 pm

Follow Kate Walsh on Twitter at @norwellkate.

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