Lake County General Health District officials continue to encourage residents to take action to prevent Lyme disease, a sickness caused by the bite of a black-legged or deer tick that carries the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium.
According to the district, there has been a steady increase in the number of reported cases of Lyme disease over the past few years, which is common in the Northeastern and upper Midwestern United States.
Lake County has had five reported cases of Lyme disease so far in 2023, officials recently reported.
Since 2010, the number of black-legged ticks in Ohio has increased steadily, particularly in wooded areas.
Additionally, while humans cannot get the ailment from pets, they can bring the ticks into the home which could then bite and infect.
A Lyme disease vaccine is available for dogs through veterinarians, officials noted.
Typical symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, tiredness, and a characteristic called “bull’s-eye” skin rash. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, causing long-term medical problems.
Health care providers can determine if an individual has Lyme disease based on symptoms and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Providers may also run blood tests.
Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics, but there is no human vaccine for Lyme disease, officials added.
“There are several steps we can take to prevent Lyme disease, as well as other diseases caused by the bites of ticks and mosquitoes,” said Bert Mechenbier, environmental health supervisor with the Lake County General Health District.
Additionally, the district strongly encourages individuals visiting wooded or forested areas to adhere to the following suggestions:
• Wear white- or light-colored clothing which makes it easier to spot any ticks; shirts and T-shirts should be tucked into pants and socks should be pulled up over the bottom of pants
• Use insect repellents registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency labeled for use against ticks on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours
• Treat clothing and gear, such as boots and tents with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin (anti-parasite insecticide), which remains protective through several washings; pre-treated clothing is available and may provide longer-lasting protection
• Help younger children apply repellent and keep it away from their eyes, mouth, and hands
• Avoid taking shortcuts through thick brush and grass
• Check for ticks at the end of each day before returning home — check pets as well; shower to wash off unseen ticks
• Remove any attached tick by grasping it with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pulling it straight out
For more information on Lyme disease, visit the following websites: odh.ohio.gov/know-our programs/zoonotic-disease-program/diseases/lyme-disease; www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html.
Contact the Lake County General Health District at 440-350-2543.
