*Attached Video: Tick Problems: How to Stay Safe as Lyme Disease Cases Rise
DOVER, Ohio (WJW) – Tuscarawas County is experiencing an increase in Lyme disease cases in 2024.
According to a press release from the Tuscarawas County Public Health Department, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the county increased by 68% between May 1 and June 30.
According to the health department, 74 suspected cases of Lyme disease have been reported so far in 2024. In 2023, the number of suspected cases reported during the same period was 44.
According to the TCHD, the health department is investigating another 31 suspected cases (as of July 10).
“For the second year in a row, we are seeing a steady increase in reported cases of Lyme disease in Tuscarawas County,” said Valerie Wallace, RN, Communicable Disease Nurse with the Tuscarawas County Department of Public Health. “We also know that the true number of Lyme disease cases is likely higher due to underreporting and we encourage county residents to take precautions to prevent Lyme disease and seek early treatment if symptoms occur.”
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, the number of cases of Lyme disease in dogs has also increased, with 449 cases in 2024 (through July 9), the press release said.
According to the health service, tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, are transmitted to humans or pets through the bite of an infected tick.
Facts about tick bites, according to the TCHD:
- The longer a tick remains attached to a human or animal, the greater the chance that bacteria or diseases will be transmitted.
- It takes about 36 to 48 hours for a tick to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
- Ticks can attach themselves anywhere on the body, especially in places that are difficult to see.
Symptoms of Lyme disease, according to the TCHD:
- An erythema migrans rash: A reddish-purple rash that can also be a “target”
- Fatigue
- shivers
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Late-stage Lyme disease: severe headache and neck stiffness, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, irregular heartbeat, and inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.
“It is very important to see your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms and get appropriate treatment,” Wallace said.
To prevent tick bites, it’s important to take precautions, such as avoiding wooded and brushy areas with tall grass. The health department says you can also tuck in long pants tucked into long socks, use insect repellent, use clear and well-trodden paths, wear long sleeves, and inspect your skin after being outdoors.
To remove a tick if you’ve been bitten, the TCHD said to use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. To dispose of the tick, place it in a concealed container and wrap it in tape or flush it down the toilet.
“Never crush a tick with your fingers,” the press release states.
Click here for more information about Lyme disease.