Dear Block Island Community,
As a follow‑up to our March Letter to the Editor on Alpha‑gal, and in partnership with the Town of New Shoreham, Block Island Health Services (BIHS) is asking for the community’s assistance with ongoing tick research.
At the request of Dr. Sam Telford, individuals who find a tick on themselves are asked to:
- Tape the tick to an index card,
- Write the date you found the tick on the card, and
- Drop it off at Block Island Health Services.
BIHS will securely store collected samples until Dr. Telford retrieves them for analysis. Community participation is critical and provides valuable data that can help guide prevention efforts and future research.
In the meantime, Dr. Telford continues to emphasize the importance of tick‑bite prevention. He strongly recommends that individuals spending time outdoors wear permethrin‑treated socks and ensure that pets are consistently treated with veterinarian‑recommended tick preventatives.
Finally, we would like to extend sincere appreciation to the Block Island Residents Association (BIRA). Through their support, BIRA has purchased permethrin‑treated socks, which will be available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce and other local merchants around town.
Thank you to our community for your continued engagement and commitment to public health.
Kindly,
NettieRose Cooley - BIHS CEO
Amy Land - TNS Town Manager
