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Protecting yourself from ticks as Lyme disease cases rise
Posted: 08.20.2012 at 2:29 PM
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CAYUGA COUNTY --
Cayuga County Health and Human Services is warning people to be wary of a different dangerous insect - deer ticks.
The New York State Department of health says it’s seeing more cases of Lyme disease this summer.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick.
Deer ticks live in shady, moist areas at ground level. They latch onto people who are walking through tall grass and shrubs.
Health
and Human Services says the most visual sign of Lyme disease is a
raised rash that resembles a bulls-eye that is clear in the middle with
red rings around it. This occurs in about 60 to 80% of those infected
with Lyme disease. Other symptoms include joint pain, severe headaches,
nervous system problems., fever, and fatigue.
Symptoms typically appear within 3 to 30 days after the bite.
There are some guidelines to make sure their family members avoid the bugs.
"Keep
your lawn mowed and keep your kids on the mowed area. If you do go
hiking stay on the path, don't go off where the grass is high and shrubs
are there, and wear long pants," says Eileen O'Connor, of Cayuga County
Health and Human Services.
Ticks can be as small as poppy seeds. They are easier to spot and remove if you wear light colored clothing.
To
prevent tick bites, O'Connor says it’s important to wear sleeve shirts
and long pants that tuck into socks when outside, especially when in
wooded areas.
For more information regarding Lyme Disease and how to remove a tick, refer to the Cayuga County Health Department website or call Environmental Health at 315-253-1405.
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