FALMOUTH – With the help of a $20,000 grant from Cape Cod Healthcare Community Benefits Annual Strategic Grant program, the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension will be able to continue its deer tick testing program for Cape residents through September.
Nearly nine percent of ticks found on Cape Cod carry one or more of the four pathogens that can cause health issues.
The test involves sealing the tick which caused the bite in a bag, registering for the test at www.TickReport.com, and sending the tick to UMass-Amherst for analysis.
Turnaround time for results is quick and can be a useful tool in helping patients find the correct path for treatment.
“It puts patients in a much stronger position to have conversations with their doctor if they know they’ve been bitten by a tick,” entomologist Lawrence Dapsis said.
While the test normally costs $50, thanks to the grant funds, Cape residents will be able to have the test done for just $15.
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