Within the past few months, Warren County has seen an increase of a once-rare disease caused by a tick bite: Anaplasmosis.
As cases have risen exponentially, it’s more important than ever for residents to take precautions to prevent tick bites. There are a few things you can do to stay safe, read on to learn more.
What is the Disease?
Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by ticks.
Warren County has seen 40 cases so far this year, which is over three times more than in a typical year. If Anaplasmosis is not treated quickly, it can cause serious illness.
What Do the Symptoms Look Like?
Early symptoms usually occur within 1 to 5 days after the tick bite.
Mild and moderate symptoms include a fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.
If left untreated for several days, severe symptoms may cause respiratory problems, bleeding, organ failure, and in some cases, death. Those who are immunocompromised are more prone to serious illness from Anaplasmosis.
How Can I Prevent and Treat it?
The good news is, tick bites can be prevented with the right actions.
If you’re going outside, hiking, or live in a wooded area, take these precautions to prevent tick bites:
- Wear clothing that is treated with permethrin to kill ticks
- Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and a hat
- Tuck pants into socks
- Use insect repellent: DEET, Lemon Eucalyptus oil, para-methane-diol, IR3535
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- Walk in the middle of any trails
- Perform a full-body check when arriving home
- Shower after an outing
There are many ways to prevent ticks from biting and staying on you. While Anaplasmosis can be severe, tick bites can largely be prevented. Take precaution to stay safe from tick-borne illnesses.
For more information on Anaplasmosis, check the CDC’s website:
https://www.cdc.gov/anaplasmosis/index.html
