Press Release

May 27, 2009

 

State Public Health Director Advises Protection as
Tick-borne Disease Numbers Climb

 Five cases of tick-borne illness reported this year in Illinois  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, is warning residents to take precautions against tick bites to prevent contracting the diseases they carry. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received reports of five cases of tick-borne illness in Illinois this year. Ticks become most active now through June when the ground temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

“As the weather gets warmer and people spend more time outdoors, they need to protect themselves from tick bites,” said Dr. Arnold. “Ticks can transmit a number of diseases through a bite, so people should be diligent about using personal prevention measures and insect repellent when they are outdoors in areas where ticks may be present.”

Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush. If infected, ticks can transmit diseases including ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and Lyme disease through their bites. While the number of reported cases of tick-borne illness varies from year to year, many of these diseases have been increasing in recent years.

 
2008 (provisional)
2000
Ehrlichiosis

31

1

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

110

5

Lyme disease

108

35

Tularemia

1

4

A person who experiences a rash, or any unexplained illness, accompanied by a fever following a tick bite, should consult a medical professional. It's important for people to recognize the signs and symptoms of tickborne diseases so treatment with appropriate antibiotics is not delayed. If left untreated, some tick-borne diseases can cause severe illness and may be fatal.

The best way to protect against tickborne illnesses is to avoid tick bites by taking the following precautions:

  • Check your clothing often for ticks climbing toward open skin. Wear white or light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants so the tiny ticks are easier to see.
  • Tuck long pants into your socks and boots. Wear a head covering or hat for added protection.
  • Apply insect repellent containing DEET (30 percent or less) to exposed skin (except the face). If you do cover up, use repellents for clothing containing DEET or permethrin to treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes) while in locations where ticks may be common. Follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse repellents. Permethrin repellents must be used on clothing only, not on skin.
  • Ticks are usually found in ankle- to shin-high grass and weeds. Ticks cannot hop or fly. Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you.
  • “Tick Checks” are an important method of preventing tickborne diseases. In areas where ticks may be present, be sure and check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks. Ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit tickborne disease until they have been attached for four or more hours.
  • If you let your pets outdoors, check them often for ticks. Infected ticks also can transmit disease to them. (Check with your veterinarian about preventive measures against tickborne diseases.) You are at risk from ticks that “hitch a ride” on your pets, but fall off in your home before they feed.
  • Remove any tick promptly. Do not try to burn the tick with a match or cover it with petroleum jelly or nail polish. Do not use bare hands. The best way to remove a tick is to grasp it with fine-point tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick. If tweezers are not available, grasp the tick with a piece of cloth or whatever can be used as a barrier between your fingers and the tick. You may want to put the tick in a jar of rubbing alcohol labeled with the date and location of the bite in case you seek medical attention and your physician wishes to have the tick identified.
  • Wash the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water; apply an antiseptic to the bite site.
  • Keep your grass mowed and keep weeds cut around your home.
  • Know the symptoms of tickborne disease and consult your physician if you have a fever and a rash or unexplained flu-like illness (without a cough) following a tick bite.
For more information about ticks, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and tularemia, log on to the Department’s Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/public/hbhome.htm.




idph online home
idph online home

Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
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