By Cassandra Harris

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and a great opportunity to educate ourselves and others on the steps we can take to help limit our exposure to ticks. Most common during the warmer months, Lyme disease is spread through the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.

Among the most commonly reported nationally notifiable conditions in the U.S., approximately 35,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported in 2013. On average, approximately 30 cases of the disease are reported in S.C. each year.

While Lyme disease is not widespread in S.C., there are still preventative measures that you can take when planning outdoor activities or trips to locations where the disease is prevalent. These measures include:

• Avoid Direct Contact with Ticks
• Repel Ticks with DEET or Permethrin
• Find and Remove Ticks from Your Body

By taking steps to limit exposure to ticks today, you can help reduce your risk of Lyme disease tomorrow. For more information about Lyme disease and other insect or animal borne disease, click here.