Tick-Borne Diseases
Target Shaped Rash | Infected Tick Bite | Adult Deer Tick |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Although Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Brookfield area, other diseases including Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis (Anaplasma) have outpaced Lyme Disease in the Brookfield area in recent years. Ticks may be submitted to the Brookfield Health Department to be sent for examination and identification free of charge. It is the policy of the State lab to examine only those Ticks, both nymph and adult forms, which are engorged with blood and currently ONLY for the Lyme Disease organism. This indicates that the insect has bitten for an adequate length of time and disease transfer is therefore possible.The Lab does not test ticks removed from pets or other animals. The so-called Lone Star tick is responsible for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and has been seen only rarely in CT. This tick has been found to be responsible for a new but rare virus called Hartland virus, which has not been found inour state. Another very rare disease carried by the Deer tick is Powassan Disease, which can be quite severe. Only a very few cases have been seen as yet in CT. For more information on Tick-borne Disease go to the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/
Please use the form below to submit ticks to the Brookfield Health Department
(free for Brookfield residents only):
Please note it takes approximately 2 weeks to obtain a result from the State laboratory in New Haven.
If any suspicious symptoms such as a rash, joint symptoms, headache or nervous symptoms arise beforehand, please consult your physician immediately.
The following slide presentation is offered for the benefit of Brookfield residents:
For further information, you may submit questions via email, or click here for more information.