Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Lyme Disease Awareness Month 2026

The 2026 Lyme Disease Awareness Month theme is: Tick Free Zone

Maine CDC observes Lyme Disease Awareness Month during May each year. This is a time to encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors while staying tick free. 

Read the Governor's Proclamation of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month (PDF). 

Does your organization have a newsletter? Share tick bite prevention information with them! Download and use one of these messages:

• For people working in health care: Word, PDF
• For people working in animal care: Word, PDF
• For other groups: Word, PDF

Youth Poster Contest

Maine CDC holds a poster contest for Maine students in kindergarten through 8th grade each year. The theme for the 17th annual Lyme Disease Awareness Month poster contest is: Tick Free Zone. 

2026 K-8 Poster Contest Rules

• Eligibility: This contest is open to youth in Maine kindergarten through 8th grade or equivalent age.
• Number of entries: Submit only one entry per child.
• Release: A signed release waiver (PDF) must accompany ALL poster submissions.
• Deadline: Maine CDC must receive entries by Thursday, April 30, 2026. See address below.
• Judging: Maine DHHS employees judge posters.
• Winners and recognition: Maine CDC will notify winners by Monday, May 19, 2025. Maine CDC will choose a total of 4 winners (one for each group K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade, and 6th-8th grade).
• Property: All posters become the property of Maine CDC and will not be returned. Maine CDC may duplicate the artwork to use as part of Lyme Disease Awareness activities.
• Poster Submission
  • Print this information on the back of each poster: Child's name, school name, grade, teacher's name, contact number.
  • Send poster entries to: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Maine CDC, 286 Water St. 6th Floor, Augusta, ME 04333-0011

Poster Design Guidelines

• Content: Posters should illustrate at least one of the four tips to prevent tick bites. Learn more about that with our youth curriculum.
  • Know when you are in tick habitat and use caution.
  • Wear light-colored clothing that covers your arms and legs.
  • Use an EPA-approved repellent (DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus).
  • Perform tick checks after an outdoor activity. Take a shower to wash off any crawling ticks.
• Art medium: Posters may use drawing, painting, photography, or other digital medium. Submission must be original work by the child. No AI generated art will be accepted.
• Size: Maximum poster size is 12x18 inches. Please do not laminate or mount posters.

2025 Poster Contest Winners

Each winner receives a family day pass to any Maine State Park and tick removal kits to share with classmates. Winning posters may be featured in future Maine CDC Lyme disease prevention materials. Maine CDC thanks all student participants, parents and guardians, teachers, and schools for their creativity and participation.

• K-1st Grade Winner: Abigail T., Stratton School
• 2nd-3rd Grade Winner: Lily B., Molly Ockett School
• 4th-5th Grade Winner: Joy C., Thomaston Grammar School
• 6th-8th Grade Winner: Zoe O., Westbrook Middle School
• Honorable Mention: 7th Grade Student, Buckfield Junior-Senior High School