The Philadelphia Inquirer recently posted a story that should be read by anyone who spends time outdoors. According to a report by Jason Nark, the state will test any tick you discover on your body for lyme or other diseases.

No charge.

According to the report:

“Within three business days, you’ll get results as to what type of things the tick was carrying,” said lab director Nicole Chinnici. “That’s typically before symptoms are occurring, so you can take those results to your physician or your veterinarian to help them determine what they should be looking out for. It gives them a peace of mind when it comes back negative.”

The bad news? More than 50 percent of the ticks tested at the lab carry something.

Read the full article here.

Thanks for the tip to Jenkintown Borough Council Member Alex Khalil who posted a link to this story on the Jenkintown Community Page.