The Partial Observer from Maureen Dill

Tick-borne Diseases on the Rise Here

According to Cornell University’s “Tick Talk” Community Education Program, tick-borne diseases have become a significant public health issue in New York State, with numerous tick species and diseases currently spreading within the region.

This year, a Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Summit was held on September 28 and 29 under the auspices of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and the Central New York Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance. The Central New York Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance is a collaborative of providers, scientists, and community members who support research, drive education, and promote awareness to combat tick-borne illnesses. The summit was co-sponsored by the SUNY Upstate Medical University Office of Continuing Medical Education for a target audience of healthcare practitioners in Central New York. The goals were to (a) increase awareness of medical providers regarding risk factors and epidemiological patterns of tick-borne diseases in our region, (b) increase the competence of medical providers to recognize and diagnose Lyme and tick-borne diseases, and (c) increase the competence of medical providers to treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.