Mosquito commission offers tick ID, testing

As part of the county's Tick-borne Diseases Program, residents who find a tick can bring it to the Monmouth CountyMosquito Commission office in Tinton Falls to have it identified and analyzed for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

"The tick identification and testing service is meant to serve as a first alert for people receiving a tick bite," said Sean Healy, entomologist for the Tick-borne Diseases Program. "This is very important as we enter the peak time for Lyme disease transmission. Since the beginning of the year we have processed almost 200 specimens."

Monmouth County residents who suffer from a tick bite can bring the tick to the mosquito commission office in Tinton Falls for identification and testing. The ticks will be tested by mosquito commission personnel for the presence of the Lyme disease bacterium. A $25 fee will be charged to cover the cost of the laboratory testing.

There are three common tick types in Monmouth County: the black-legged tick (deer tick), the lone star tick and theAmerican dog tick. Of these, only black-legged ticks play a role in transmitting the Lyme disease bacterium(Borrelia burgdorferi) to humans and pets.

Mosquito commission personnel will not remove the tick from individuals or offer any medical diagnosis. Ticks can be brought dead or alive to the mosquito commission office for identification and testing. The mosquito commission specializes in ticks andmosquitoes and the diseases they transmit. Tick reports will indicate the type of tick, and other useful information about the tick, as well as whether it was infected with the Lyme disease bacterium.

Residents can bring these reports to their physician or retain them as part of their medical record. In addition to Lyme disease, there are other tick-borne diseases inMonmouth County that people and their health care providersmust be aware of, according to a press release.

Residents who wish to have a tick identified and tested do not have to make an appointment. Themosquito commission offices may be visited Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 1901 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls.

Those with a tick to be identified and tested can fill out a form and use the tick submission kit provided at the mosquito commission's office. They will be contacted with the results via telephone and provided with a written report.