New Canaan health officials report rise in tick submissions, urge thorough tick checks

Amy Lahnini, the new director of health for New Canaan, told the Town Council Committee on Health and Human Services that the health department has seen an increase in residents bringing suspected ticks to the health office and that the department is doing preliminary identification before sending deer ticks to the state laboratory for testing.

Lahnini said the department is trying to “unburden the state” by identifying non-deer ticks in-house and sending only deer ticks — the species the state lab tests for — to the state. She explained the state tests deer ticks for multiple pathogens, not only Lyme disease, and that results can take one to two weeks. Shannon, a health department staff member, noted the department has been able to identify many submissions in-office and therefore not submit them to the state lab.

The pair described the department’s top prevention messages for residents: stay in the middle of trails (avoiding trail edges where ticks are more common), conduct a tick check after outdoor activity, and shower after being outside. Lahnini added that the office provides demonstration identifications to residents and sometimes gives small kits to people who report difficulty removing ticks.

Speakers discussed recent lab results: department staff said roughly 60 suspected deer ticks had been submitted to the state lab to date, with about six testing positive for Lyme disease and four testing positive for babesiosis in May. The health department said June results were still pending and reiterated that quicker in-office identification helps residents and their primary care providers decide about prophylactic treatment within the 72-hour window when that option is considered.

Committee members asked whether the health department charges residents for testing. Shannon said residents are not charged for in‑office identification and that the town pays postage to ship ticks; the state lab does not charge the town for testing. The department said it is not currently charging residents for tick identification or for removal assistance when residents come to the office.

The health department said it plans more public education: repeat in-person talks (including planning some after work hours), flyers for people unable to attend talks, and an expanded social media presence (Facebook and an in-development Instagram account) to post seasonal reminders and prevention guidance.

Discussion only: staff described procedures, current test counts, and education plans. No formal policy or ordinance action was taken at the meeting.