Watch
for Ticks to Prevent Lyme Disease
Spring is here, so it’s
time to think about the outdoors and proper protection against ticks. Maine had
1,171 cases of Lyme disease reported in 2015. May is Lyme Disease Awareness
Month and we want to remind you the importance of daily tick checks and
encourage the “tick watch” prevention strategy.
Ticks are primarily
active in warmer months. Lyme disease is
a bacterial infection that is caused by a bite from an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). In Maine, Lyme disease is most common in adults
65 and over and children between the ages of 5 and 15, but anyone can get the
disease. Individuals who work or play
outside are more likely to be exposed to ticks. The most common and visible
symptom of Lyme disease is a red bulls-eye rash that grows and appears within
3-30 days of exposure. Other symptoms may
include fevers, and joint or muscle pain.
Lyme disease is
treatable and most individuals recover completely with a proper drugs. However,
the easiest way to avoid the disease is prevention, using “No Ticks 4 ME”:
1) Use
caution in tick infested areas
2) Wear
protective clothing
3) Use
an EPA approved repellant
4)
Perform daily tick checks after any
outdoor activity
A tick must be attached
for a minimum of 24 hours before the infection can be passed on, further
stressing the need for prompt and proper tick removal. If you are bitten by a
tick, or work in a known tick habitat, watch for symptoms for up to 30 days,
and call a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.
Deer ticks can transmit
not only Lyme disease, but also two other tick-borne infections that are present
in Maine: anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Babesiosis cases increased in 2015 and
cases of Anaplasmosis remained steady. The majority of tick-borne illnesses occur
during the summer months when ticks and humans are active outdoors.
Remember that the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the only tick that can transmit Lyme disease,
but there are other species of ticks throughout the state. Tick identification
references are available to order online at Maine CDC’s website. The University
of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick ID Lab offers free identification services
and educational resources.
Additional information:
For more information, e-mail john.a.martins@maine.gov
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