Officials Warn of Tick-Borne Disease in Santa Monica Mountains

December 17, 2012 -- County officials are reminding residents to be careful when hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains and other rural areas in Los Angeles County.

According to County officials, ticks in the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas may carry Lyme disease.

“Studies have shown that approximately 1%-2% of western black-legged ticks found in the Santa Monica Mountains, Palos Verdes Peninsula, and other rural areas of Los Angeles County carry the Lyme disease bacteria,” officials said.

:The adult western black-legged tick is most active from late November through May,” they said.

In order to better inform the public of potential dangers, the Los Angeles County West Vector
& Vector-Borne Disease Control District has issued several brochures, available at their website: http://www.lawestvector.org/.

The “Biting and Stinging Insects” and “Pocket Identification Guide to Biting and Stinging Insects” brochures outline potential hazards to visitors to L.A. County's rural areas.

“The brochures contain information on vectors and vector-borne diseases encountered in Los Angeles County, including ticks and Lyme disease, Africanized honey bees, mosquitoes, West Nile virus, and red imported fire ants,” officials said.

Officials also said that parks, recreation and maintenance workers could be at higher risk “due to the nautre of their jobs.”

County officials also offer print versions of the brochures.

Those interested in more information can contact Heather Tedoro at (310) 915-7370 ext. 225.