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Communicable Disease Control
In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Nevada County Public Health Department's Communicable Disease Control program investigates and monitors infectious diseases and potential outbreaks in the community. Public Health Nurses promote awareness, education and investigation regarding the control and prevention of infectious diseases.
Information on Diseases and Conditions
Testing of ticks for B. burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme Disease, is generally not recommended due to the following:
- Results of tick testing should not be used for treatment decisions.
- Positive results showing that the tick contains a disease-causing organism do not necessarily mean that you have been infected.
- Negative results can lead to false assurance. You may have been unknowingly bitten by a different tick that was infected.
- Ticks can potentially transmit diseases other than Lyme Disease.
If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick or have any other concerns, see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick.
For further information please visit the following CDPH websites:
- Testing ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi, the Agent of Lyme Disease: Questions and Answers (PDF)
- Hey Doc – I’ve Been Bitten By a Tick – What Do I Do Now? (PDF)
Determine Tick Type
To determine the type of the tick (without testing) call before going to:Nevada County Office of Agriculture
950 Maidu AvenueSuite 170
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530-470-2690
Farm Advisor UC Davis Extension
Grass Valley Veterans Building255 S Auburn Street
Suite 1
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone: 530-273-4563
Testing
Labs offering both tick identification and tick testing for Lyme-causing bacteria (contact lab for submittal instructions):Download the 2018 Tick Testing Laboratories (PDF)
| Name of Laboratory | Tick Test(s) | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Butte Public Health Laboratory | Tick ID / IFA | 530-891-2747 |
| NSYM (Napa, Solano, Yolo & Marin | Tick ID / IFA | 707-784-4410 |
| Sonoma County Public Health Laboratory | Tick ID / IFA | 707-565-4711 |
| Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory | Tick ID / IFA | 408-885-4272 |
| Shasta County Health & Human Services | Tick ID / IFA | 530-225-5072 |
| Humbolt County Public Health Laboratory | Tick ID / IFA | 707-268-2179 |
| Name of Laboratory | Tick Test(s) | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Placer County Mosquito & Vector Control | Tick ID | 916-380-5444 |
| Sacramento Public Health Laboratory | Tick ID | 916-874-9231 |
| Santa Cruz Public Health Laboratory | Tick ID | 831-454-5445 |
Specimen Requirements
- Tick specimen must be in good condition
- Fresh, preferably live, not dried up
- Whole with all parts intact, not crushed
- Do not put tick in alcohol or other desiccant
(Dead ticks in alcohol can only be PCR tested) - May put a moist blade of grass, leaf or cotton in a non-breakable container with the tick