*Attached video: Tick trouble: How to stay safe as Lyme disease cases rise
Dover, Ohio (WJW) – Tuscarawas County It has increased Lyme disease Case count in 2024.
According to the press release: Tuscarawas County Health DepartmentThe county saw a 68% increase in reported Lyme disease cases between May 1 and June 30.
by public health center, There have been 74 suspected cases of Lyme disease reported so far in 2024. In 2023, the number of suspected cases reported during the same period was 44.
The health department is also investigating 31 additional suspected cases as of July 10, according to TCHD.
“For the second year in a row, we have seen a steady increase in reported Lyme disease cases. Tuscarawas County“We know the actual number of Lyme disease cases is likely higher due to under-reporting, and we encourage county residents to take precautions to prevent Lyme disease and seek treatment early if they experience symptoms,” said Valerie Wallace, infectious disease nurse with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
Cases of Lyme disease in dogs are also on the rise, with 449 cases reported as of July 9, 2024, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council.
Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease are transmitted to people and pets through the bite of an infected tick, according to the health department.
According to TCHD, here are some facts about tick bites:
- The longer a tick remains attached to a person or animal, the more likely it is to transmit bacteria and disease.
- It takes about 36 to 48 hours for a tick to transmit the Lyme disease bacteria.
- Ticks can land on any part of the body, but especially in areas that are hard to see.
According to TCHD, symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Erythema migrans: A reddish-purple rash that may appear as a “bull’s eye.”
- Malaise
- cold
- heat
- headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Late stage Lyme disease: Severe headache and stiff neck, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, irregular heartbeat, inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.
“If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, it’s very important that you see a health care provider immediately and receive appropriate treatment,” Wallace said.
To prevent tick bites, it’s important to take precautions such as avoiding thick wooded and shrub areas, wearing long pants tucked into long socks, using insect repellent, staying on well-traveled and well-open roads, wearing long sleeves and checking your skin after being outdoors, the health department said.
If you are bitten by a tick, to remove it, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, TCHD says. To dispose of the tick, place it in an inconspicuous container, wrap it in tape, or flush it down the toilet.
“Never crush the tick with your fingers,” the statement reads.
click here More information on Lyme disease.
