Ohioans face growing risk of Lyme disease

WOOSTER, Ohio — Populations of the blacklegged tick are growing in the Buckeye State.

The tick, a vector for Lyme Disease, was thought to be rarely found in Ohio and so the threat of Lyme Disease to Ohio residents was very low. However, surveys over the past couple of years are finding populations of the blacklegged tick present throughout Ohio. To date, this tick has been found in 25 Ohio counties.

OSU Extension in Wayne County is sponsoring an informational meeting about the blacklegged tick and Lyme Disease June 19 at 7 p.m. at Fisher Auditorium, OARDC Campus, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster.

What’s covered

Topics that will be covered at the meeting include: the emerging Ohio tick story; tick biology and identification; Lyme disease risk assessment, symptoms and treatment; and tick prevention and protection.

Presenters include: Dr. Glen Needham, OSU associate professor of entomology and acarology; Dr. Denise Signs, infectious diseases specialty, Wooster; and Dr. Gary Graham, OSU Extension educator, Holmes County Extension.

There is no charge for this meeting. For more information, contact the Wayne County Extension office at 330-264-8722.