When infected blood-sucking insects (such as mosquitoes and ticks) bite a person, they can spread vector-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Lyme disease. There are many types of vector-borne illness. The best defense against them is to take steps to avoid being bitten by infected insects.

The Communicable Disease Service has staff dedicated to the monitoring, control and prevention of vector-borne diseases.

Specific activities performed by vector-borne illness staff include:

• Surveillance of vector-borne diseases
• Identifying risk factors
• Monitoring geographic trends
• Providing technical assistance and training
• Educating the public

Find more information and resources in the New Jersey School-Based Tick-borne Disease Education Toolkit.

As we begin a new school year, it is a good opportunity to remind people of all ages about the importance of the identification, prevention, and treatment of Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases. In New Jersey, there are many tick-borne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.