Mosquito  and Tick Disease

Mosquito-borne Disease

Massachusetts Arbovirus Surveillance and Response Plan

May 2023:  Massachusetts reports mosquito sampling June - October. To start tracking information, learn more about the types of mosquitoes in Massachusetts and learn steps you should take to prevent mosquito-borne disease such as West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) go to the Massachusetts Mosquito-borne webpage.


Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District

May 2023:  The Town of Amherst has recently become a member of the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District. Mosquito Control Districts sits within the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources, there are currently nine operational districts that are tasked with mosquito public education, disease surveillance and other services to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Services are tailored to the communities unique geographical makeup and needs of their residents and are determined in consultation with local municipal officials and Boards of Health.

Read the PVMCD update from July 10, 2023
 
Please refer to the webpage for information on services provided: PVMCD webpage.





TIck-borne Disease

   

Massachusetts Department of Public Health     

Both black-legged (deer) ticks and dog ticks are found throughout Massachusetts and may spread different disease-causing germs when they bite you. The most common tick-borne diseases in Massachusetts are Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Other diseases that are more rare, but still occur, are Tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Powassan virus. Tick-borne illnesses can be very severe and taking steps to avoid tick bites is important. 
 
Prevention is the key to not getting a tick-borne disease. Please click here for more information on tick-borne diseases and how to prevent them.
 
See Massachusetts Department of Public Health Tick-borne Disease Syndromic Surveillance Reports here.


University of Massachusetts TickReport
The Amherst business MedZu provides tick testing service to public individuals and agencies seeking more information about the risk of dangerous pathogens. Find out more or send your tick to college! https://www.tickreport.com/

Tick Identification and Testing Facilities

The Town of Amherst Health Department does not offer tick testing or identification. Follow the link for other organizations that offer tick identification and or testing services for a fee, however if you have any situation that may affect your health please contact your health care provider. Tick Testing Resources.


  

CDC

The Centers for Disease Control website has data on tick-borne disease found in Amherst including Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis, as well as emerging tick-borne disease.
  

______________________________________________________________________________________