For those that live on the East End, chances are you know someone who has had or personally have had Lyme disease, so being tick wise is incredibly important.
East End Tick & Mosquito Control and Tick Wise Education, a nonprofit organization based in East Quogue, are joining forces to host a Tick Borne Disease Symposium at the Sea Star Ballroom of the Long Island Aquarium with leading experts in the field on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“East End Tick & Mosquito Control is proud to sponsor this event and partner with Tick Wise Education to help spread awareness on tick borne diseases,” Brian Kelly, East End pest control expert and East End Tick & Mosquito Control owner, relayed. “Ticks are at an all time high this year, so it’s a great opportunity for the community to learn about how they can prevent tick related diseases and teach their kids and whole family the importance of checking for ticks.”
Symposium speakers will include past presidents of ILADS: Dr. Robert Bransfield and Dr. Daniel Cameron, Pediatric tick-borne illness expert Dr. Rosalie Greenberg, and local Lyme pioneer Dr. Joe Burrascano. There will also be presentations and book signings by activist and $lyme author Jenna Luché-Thayer and producer and Bitten – The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons author Kris Newby.
Throughout the morning and afternoon, the experts will cover everything from tick borne illnesses to Lyme testing challenges to new treatments for Lyme disease and much more. Additionally, exhibitors including IGeneX Laboratories, 3 Moms Organic Sprays, and the Peconic Healing Center will be onsite.
“Until we have a direct test for Lyme that is both sensitive and specific, based on sound ethical science we will not know the true breadth and depth of the damage this tick-borne illness is causing to our nation’s children & adults,” Tick Wise Education president April Nill-Boitano added.
The Tick Borne Disease Symposium is open to the public, and admission is $55, which includes lunch, in advance and $75 on the day of.
Long Island Aquarium is located at 431 East Main Street in Riverhead. For tickets, or more information, visit tickwise.org.