At the June meeting of the Kosciusko County Board of Health, the Kosciusko County Health Department offered a tuberculosis update.

“We don’t have any active cases at the present time,” said Bob Weaver of the health department.

The last active TB case in the county was successfully treated in March of this year. There are also no open suspects at this time.

The health department does offer TB testing. Testing is available to the general public for $14. Skin tests are conducted from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays. Those tested must return to have the test read from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday. Call 574-372-3517 for more information.

In a follow-up call after the meeting, Teresa Reed, the health department’s Communicable Disease Program Case Manager, warned of another health issue that could affect local citizens.

“People need to protect against ticks,” she stated. Reed explained that black-legged ticks, known carriers of Lyme Disease, have been found in Kosciusko County. “That’s the ones we have to worry about as the summer carries on.”

To transmit the disease, a tick would have to be attached to a person for at least 36 hours. However, ticks are small and easily overlooked.

Reed says if anyone spends time outdoors, especially in areas of tall grass, be sure to check for ticks. Again, they are small, be sure to thoroughly check hair, armpits and bathing suit areas.