Sussex County Community College and the Tick Squad will have a day of education on tick-borne diseases Oct.5. Anyone who has horses knows what a hazard ticks are, which means it will be a real benefit to attend this conference offering insight into how to handle the tick problem.
The NWNJ Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Conference, a free event, will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the college’s performing arts center on its main campus in Newton. The conference is geared to professionals and community members who want to learn more about tick-borne diseases and how to help identify and protect against infection.
“It’s time to start working together to take action in our backyards and neighborhoods, our parks and natural areas, so that we may regain our ability to fully enjoy this beautiful part of the world we are blessed to live in,” said Erin Collins, the college’s agricultural business and horticultural science supervisor, who will be leading a presentation about community action to manage the area’s tick population.
According to data from the state Department of Health, Sussex was ranked the fourth-highest county in New Jersey when it came to diagnosed Lyme disease cases in 2017. Neighbor Morris County took the top spot while Warren and Hunterdon counties also were among the top diagnosed counties. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that actual numbers throughout the country are under-reported. Other confirmed tick-borne illnesses in the area include the potentially fatal Powassan virus.
Among the many topics to be discussed are symptoms of tick-borne disease and how it can be treated.
The conference is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.
A light lunch will be served. For more information, contact Erin Collins at ecollins@sussex.edu.