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TOMPKINS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
401 Harris B. Dates Drive – Ithaca, New York 14850

Alice Cole, RN, MSE – Public Health Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ithaca, NY – July 13, 2006

For more information, contact Carol Mohler or Karen Bishop at 274-6604

TICK BITES and LYME DISEASE

Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy the warm weather and outdoor vacations. It is also time to protect yourself from tick bites that may spread disease. The Tompkins County Health Department recommends that you protect yourself against Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis while you’re outside.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected deer tick. Ticks are active from mid-May to November. Infected deer ticks are found throughout New York State.

Lyme disease can have serious complications if not identified and treated early. The most noticeable early sign of Lyme disease is a rash resembling a bull’s eye, or solid patch, which usually, but not always, develops between 3 and 32 days after the tick bite. In some cases no rash appears, while in other cases there are multiple rashes.

Other symptoms of early Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches and joint pain. If you notice these signs or symptoms, consult a health care provider immediately.

Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick, dog tick or the lone star tick. Symptoms usually occur within 1 to 3 weeks. Common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, weakness and headache. Infected individuals may also experience confusion, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain. A rash is not common with Ehrlichiosis. Occasionally the disease may be life threatening or fatal.

“There are simple precautions that you can take to reduce your chances of being bitten by ticks. Wear light colored clothing to be able to see the ticks better. And tuck pants into socks and tuck long sleeve shirts into pants to prevent ticks from reaching the skin,” said Carol Mohler, RN, Community Health Nurse at Tompkins County Health Department. Mohler also suggests checking for ticks at the end of a day of outdoor activity. And parents should examine their children’s skin carefully for ticks after outdoor play.

“You may want to consider using an insect repellent, but carefully read and follow all label directions. Do not allow children to apply repellent. And if you decide to use a repellent, pick one that is right for your situation,” she said.

Remove ticks that have attached to the skin as soon as possible. The risk of acquiring Lyme Disease from an infected deer tick may be reduced if the tick is removed within 36 hours of attachment.

Ticks may be brought to the Tompkins County Health Department for identification at the New York State Tick Identification Lab. (Place the tick in a small amount of alcohol in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.) Information will be provided on diseases that the tick may carry along with the tick identification.

For more information on how to reduce your risk for these tick borne diseases call the Tompkins County Health Department at 274-6604 and visit the website at www.tompkins-co.org/health to learn how to remove ticks from the skin effectively.

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