Lyme Disease Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, May 5^th, 2022

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reports the western blacklegged tick has been recovered from 56 of 58 California counties, including Los Angeles County.

Typical symptoms of Lyme disease listed by the CDC include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

“In California and throughout the rest of the country, May is recognized as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “It is a time for government agencies, healthcare advocates and those dedicated to educating the public about the condition and ways to avoid infection, to spread information about the disease. May is also the month that is considered to be the start of the annual tick season.”

Nationwide, some studies suggest up to 476,000 people get Lyme disease each year. Health officials encourage everyone to seek medical attention if they observe Lyme disease symptoms and have had a tick bite.

The ticks themselves can also be tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi to help assess someone’s risk if they have been bitten. LA Testing’s network of laboratories is pleased to offer this service utilizing a PCR-based DNA analysis that is exceptionally accurate. They even carry an easy-to-use Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit to collect samples and sponsored an educational video about ticks and Lyme disease several years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/nzINREQurOg

To learn more about this or other microbial pathogen, environmental, health or safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com or www.TickTestingLab.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.