Virginia health officials are rolling out a new public‑awareness campaign aimed at reducing the growing threat of tick‑borne illnesses such as Lyme disease and alpha‑gal syndrome.

The Alexandria Health Department has begun placing educational signs along local trails and parks, encouraging residents to perform tick checks after spending time outdoors.

As part of the effort, outreach teams nicknamed the “Tick Chicks” are hosting community events to teach people where ticks commonly attach and how to remove them safely. They’re emphasizing rising concerns: cases of both Lyme disease and alpha‑gal syndrome, a tick‑associated red‑meat allergy, are significantly increasing.

A new credit‑card‑sized tick‑removal and identification tool is at the center of the campaign. It includes two notches for removing adult ticks and nymphs, plus a magnifier and QR code that lets users submit photos for identification.

The goal is simple: give residents practical tools and knowledge so they can enjoy the outdoors while reducing their risk of tick‑borne disease.

This report from NBC4 Washington explains more: