Ohio Valley health officials warn of spike in Lyme Disease cases as summer approaches

WEST VIRGINIA — With summertime just around the corner, many people plan outdoor activities like camping, hiking, or getting some work done around the yard.

However, health officials are urging everyone, especially those who love the outdoors, to be extra careful as cases of Lyme Disease tend to spike this time of year.

Over half a million people are diagnosed each year, with around thirty-three hundred cases reported in the Mountain State in 2023.

A tick bite causes it and produces flu-like symptoms that including fever, nausea, joint pain, and headaches.

It’s usually treated with antibiotics, but doctors say early detection is vital.

You can have symptoms from days to weeks, clear up to years after you’ve had the tick bite. And if not diagnosed early, can progressed can progress to more severe symptoms like carditis, which is a heart problem, neuropathy, Bell’s palsy. So it’s really important to get diagnosed early and implement treatment.”

Jamie Evick, Medical Director, WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital

Medical experts suggest wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you are near a tall grassy or wooded area.

They also recommend an extensive hair and skin check, especially for children or pets.

Ticks can often be found on the body, near the hairline, and behind the ears.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.