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National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Tick Testing Resources to Detect Borrelia burgdorferi

Environmental Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	5/8/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Tick Testing Resources to Detect Borrelia burgdorferi
Introduction	EMSL Analytical offers PCR-based DNA analysis and easy-to-use sample collection kits to identify the bacterium that causes Lyme disease from infected ticks to assess exposure risks.
Cinnaminson, New Jersey, May 8, 2024 As recently as 2022, close to 63,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by state health departments and the District of Columbia. However, the agency reports there is no way of knowing exactly how many people get Lyme disease. The most recent estimate based on insurance records suggests that approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for the disease each year. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the country according to the CDC. The disease is caused primarily by a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi in North America. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. In the northeastern, mid-Atlantic and north-central United States, it is spread primarily by the blacklegged tick. The western blacklegged tick is the main culprit in Pacific Coast states. “To educate the public about Lyme disease and ways to mitigate exposure risks, the month of May is recognized as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This month is also the beginning of tick season in many states. Fortunately, most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics, but if left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.” EMSL Analytical proudly supports the efforts of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. They also offer a Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit to evaluate actual ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi using exceptionally sensitive PCR-based DNA analysis. Several years ago, EMSL even sponsored an educational video about National Lyme Disease Awareness Month that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/Hr3UOTRwaNM To learn more about testing ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. For access to Lyme Disease Tick Test Kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. About EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.