[therozman]

My family is preparing to move out to Connecticut in July and all of a sudden my wife is really worried about Lyme Disease. We will be living in Fairfield County and I wanted to see how much of a concern this is to current residents? What do you do to prevent it? How do you conduct checks? What happens if you find a tick on a child or dog? Any thoughts are helpful. Thanks.

[JayCT]

The problem with Lyme Disease is no worse here in CT than anywhere else. We are just more atuned to it here since it was first discovered in Lyme, CT. I would not worry about it. If you are bitten by a tick, remove it and then watch carefully for the signs for Lyme Disease. If you are unsure, contact your doctor but we have never been overly worried about it. Jay

[therozman]

Thanks Jay. We are coming from Chicago where you really don't hear much about it (not even in the wooded suburbs).

[redbaron]

Lyme disease is found throughout the US but is definitely more prevalent in the Northeast, especially CT, PA, NY and NJ. You can see by the map here. It's not something I would be too worried about, but if you are outdoors and have pets take a few precautions. For a dog I would definitely use a flea/tick preventative such as Frontline. More info on Lyme disease from the CDC here

[Cruikshl]

Wow, I guess that map explains why so many people and pets have it.

[KH02]

Ive lived here my whole life and gotten about 5 ticks EVER in my 25 years.
So I dont really think about it tons. But if you go hiking or other outdoor woodsy stuff just check yourself when you come back.
Lyme disease isnt really a bigger deal here then elsewhere.

[andthentherewere3]

My husband has had Lyme Disease once, and his family in New Canaan have had it several times, too. Both our families do live in wooded areas. We find ticks on us all the time. If you find one attached to you, and pull it off within 24 hours, it reduces your likelihood of getting Lyme Disease. Ticks carry other diseases, too. We had a friend who was hospitalized with some kind of tick-borne disease, not Lyme.

[therozman]

I will pass this information to my wife. Perhaps we should try to stay out of the wooded homes and aim to be closer to the town centers.

[andthentherewere3]

I really wouldn't worry too much. In all the years I've lived here, and the dozens of ticks I've picked off myself, I've never gotten Lyme Disease. Most ticks are not carriers. We do have dogs, and I'm an avid gardener and take regular walks in the woods, so I'm at high risk. With a little caution you can enjoy the outdoors and still be fine.

[S2000]

No worries, fairfield isn't exactly what I would call a wooded area. As others stated just check yourself or pets when you come back from say a mountain bike or Hike in the woods. No biggie. Lived in the woods all the while growing up and never found ticks on me. This was up in Middlebury.