Animal and Insect Related Diseases

Tickborne Diseases

Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Ehrlichiosis are all infections are caused by the bite of an infected tick.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease usually occur between 3 and 30 days after the bite.  The most common symptom is a red circular “bulls-eye” rash.  Click here for more information on Lyme Disease.

Babesiosis doesn’t always have symptoms, but if symptoms do develop, they are flu-like and begin about a week after the tick bite occurred.  Click here for more information on Babesiosis.

Ehrlichiosis can present with flu-like symptoms, confusion, and red eyes.  Symptoms usually start 1-2 weeks after the tick bite.  Click here for more information on Ehrlichiosis.

To safely remove a tick:  Grasp the tick with fine point tweezers as close as possible to the skin.  Be careful not to squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick, which may contain infectious fluids.  After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash your hands.  Do not attempt to remove the tick by using petroleum jelly, lit cigarettes, or other home remedies because these may actually increase the chance of contracting a tick-borne disease.  Watch this video on proper tick removal.

To view the March 29, 2023 presentation by the NYSDOH, click here: State of the ticks_Greene town hall 2023

For more information, call Greene County Public Health Department at 518-719-3600.

Rabies

Rabies is a virus that affects mammals and can be fatal.  It is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually due to a bite.  Vaccinating your pets protects them and your family.

If your pet is bitten by a potentially rabid animal or if your animal returns to your home injured from an unknown source, contact your veterinarian to get them medical care.  Even if your pet is vaccinated, they may require a booster dose.

If you are bitten by an unfamiliar animal, wash the injury with soap and water thoroughly and seek medical attention.  If severe or bleeding is uncontrolled, call 911 immediately.

Report ALL bites to us at Greene County Public Health by calling 518-719-3600 – even if the bite was minor.

If after hours or a weekend, contact Greene County Dispatch by calling 518-622-3344 and ask for the Public Health On Call Supervisor.  We will assist you and your physician in deciding appropriate treatment.  Try to keep track of the animal that bit you – but safely!  If possible, observe the animal from a distance and report this information.

If bitten by a domestic animal that is otherwise healthy, the animal’s owner will be contacted and given instructions for confining and observing the animal for a determined amount of time.

More information on rabies can be found at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, and the New York State Department of Health website.

Rabies clinics are scheduled throughout Greene County between the months of May to September.  

Please check here for clinic dates and locations.