McHenry County Department of Health
(MCDH) is warning residents to take precautions against tick bites to prevent
contracting the diseases they carry, in particular Lyme disease.
Ticks live in and near wooded areas,
tall grass and brush. Although the American Dog Tick and the Lone Star
Tick can spread disease, the Black-legged or Deer Tick is the most common
disease carrier in Illinois and surrounding states and is largely responsible
for the spread of Lyme disease. Thirty-nine (39) cases of Lyme disease were
reported in McHenry County in 2012, along with three cases of other
tick-borne illnesses (erlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever). In
contrast, only 19 cases were reported in 2011.
Lyme disease typically occurs 3 to 30
days after exposure to an infected tick. Symptoms vary greatly from person to
person and may include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint
pain, swollen lymph nodes and skin rash (often with a “bull’s eye”
appearance). In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or
more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted so it’s important to
check yourself after being outside. Many cases of Lyme disease can be
treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. If you experience
these symptoms, and have had possible exposure to ticks, contact your physician
for reporting to MCDH. If physicians have questions regarding testing, please
call MCDH’s Communicable Disease program.
The best way to protect against
tick-borne illness includes –
Educate yourself, family about tick
identification, removal and symptom awareness.
Walk in the center of trails.
Avoid wooded, bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter (including vacant
lots in residential areas).
Wear light-colored clothing to make
ticks easier to find. Tuck long pants into socks and boots.
Apply insect repellent containing DEET
(20% or more) to exposed skin. Follow label instructions.
Conduct full-body tick checks on
family members (including underarms, in/around ears, inside belly button,
behind knees, between legs, around waists, and especially in the hair). Also
check any gear taken on outings.
Tick bites on dogs may be hard to
detect. Keep pets out of tick habitats like tall grass/brush. Always
examine pets before bringing them inside. Ask your vet to recommend an
over-the-counter tick killer/repellent.
The CDC recommends bathing or
showering as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two
hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks.
For more information on Lyme disease,
contact MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program 815-334-4500, visit www.mcdh.info, Environmental Health (“quick
tips”) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/.
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