Larry Dapsis of the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension will give a talk about Ticks and Tick-Born Diseases at the Woods Hole Public Library on Thursday afternoon, November 12 at 1 PM.
Lyme is the second most prevalent infectious disease in Massachusetts and is now considered a public health crisis. Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis are on the increase as well; both can be very serious. All three are carried by the deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick. Over half of the cases of babesiosis in Massachusetts occur on the Cape and Islands. In fact, the number of cases of babesiosis on the Cape doubled from 2010 and 2011. The Cape has seen a steady increase in the number of locations where infected ticks are found. But, as Mr. Dapsis stresses, “These diseases are preventable, and that remains our core message.”
This program will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer ticks, incidence rates and distribution of tick-borne illnesses in addition to a data base under development on infection rates of ticks. He will also speak about the Lone Star Tick, a new tick to this area. A three point protection plan will be presented: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Yard, and Protect Your Pet. As Larry says “One bite can change your life, but tick borne diseases are preventable.”
When asked, Larry will tell you that he has been an entomologist since he was five years old. He now holds a Master’s degree in entomology and is the Deer Tick Project Coordinator of the Extension Service. He is also a member of the Barnstable County Task Force on Lyme and other Tick-Borne Diseases.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Library at 508-548-8961.