PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Health Department is warning people to be more cognizant about ticks.
The department has been ramping up a public education campaign to help inform people the best ways to protect themselves. The effort is in response to an increasing number of tick-borne illnesses being reported.
"While we have traditionally shared information about tickborne illness prevention, we ramped up our efforts this year due to an increase in cases related to tick bites. We want residents to be diligent about personal protection, safeguarding their pets, and minimizing tick habitats," said Health Director Gina Armstrong
"We know that these steps can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience."
Some of those tips include wearing repellent, checking daily for ticks, showing after being outdoor, and calling the doctor if you experience a rash or fever. The department is expanding on those tips through a video posted online, will be placing signage in parks, and going into schools and having a table at Third Thursday to spread the information.
Residents should check themselves for ticks after being outside because it takes 24 hours of the arachnid being attached — likely to heads, neck, and ears where the skin is thinner — to a host to infect them with the disease. If one is found attached, health officials recommend pulling it out with tweezers and then saving it to send to the laboratory to be tested.
Public Health Nurse Kayla Donnelly-Winters has been keeping a close eye on tick-borne illnesses after noticing a steady increase over recent years. In the winter she attended a conference and developed the education plan.
"Lyme, HGA, and babesiosis, have increased from 2016 to 2017. I saw a few more cases of Lyme in the past day or two. That Lyme case makes 113, 114 now compared to 87 last year," Public health nurse Kayla Donnelly-Winters said in late November.
The year ended with 127 reported cases of Lyme disease, 34 cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and two cases of babesiosis. But, health officials say that is only a portion of the cases reported. Lyme disease, for example, is historically under-reported by providers.
Back in 2014, there were only 51 cases of Lyme in Pittsfield. That jumped to 82 in 2016.
Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses peak between May and July.
Meanwhile, the Laboratory of Medical Zoology at the University of Massachusetts will test ticks for the presence of diseases at a cost of $15. The tick can be sent there through its website.
Through there city's website, there are a number of information sheets including details of the various tick-borne illnesses, how to properly remove ticks, and prevention techniques.
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Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said.
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said.
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax.
The students have also been able to build friendships and experience new things, such as dancing for community events, taking a trip to Ireland and participating in competitions.
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Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.
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Independent Connections officially unveiled its Massachusetts branch on Thursdsay with a ribbon cutting. The IT solutions company's specializations include consulting, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
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Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more