Tick time: prevention is key

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a time to focus on protecting your health and staying informed about tickborne illness.

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD) is reminding residents that Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the most common tick-borne illness in Michigan.

Ticks are most active in spring and summer, and wooded, grassy, or brushy area increase your risk of exposure. Early detection and prevention area key to avoiding Lyme disease and other tickborne infections.