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National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Resources for Californians to Test Ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi

Environmental Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	5/16/2023
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Resources for Californians to Test Ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi
Introduction	LA Testing provides laboratory services and easy-to-use sampling kits to identify Borrelia burgdorferi from infected ticks to help assess Lyme disease exposure risks.
Huntington Beach, CA, May 16, 2023 The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is spread by western blacklegged ticks common to coastal California and the Sierra foothills. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health shares that the western blacklegged tick has been recovered from 56 of 58 California counties. Lyme disease also happens to be the most common of all the tick-borne diseases in the state according to CDPH. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks and typical symptoms of Lyme disease listed by the CDC include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system. Nationwide, some studies suggest up to 476,000 people get Lyme disease each year. Health officials encourage people to seek medical attention if they observe Lyme disease symptoms and have had a tick bite. “To help spread awareness and information about preventing Lyme disease, May is recognized as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “May is also the month that is considered to be the start of the annual tick season. Fortunately, ticks can be tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi to help assess someone’s risk of potentially getting the disease if they have already been bitten. LA Testing’s network of laboratories is pleased to offer this service utilizing a PCR-based DNA analysis that is exceptionally accurate. We even carry a Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit to collect and submit samples.” LA Testing sponsored an educational video about ticks and Lyme disease several years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/nzINREQurOg To learn more about environmental testing for Borrelia burgdorferi or other microbial pathogens, please visit www.LATesting.com or www.TickTestingLab.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for microbial pathogen and indoor environmental quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.