Tick borne illness on the rise across country

SIKESTON - Tick borne illness is on the rise, according to Brenda Freed, health educator for the Scott County Health Department.

The Center for Disease Control has alerted health care professionals across the country to watch for certain symptoms as the tick is associated with a growing number of illnesses.

"This time of year more people go into wooded areas where ticks live, and there has been an increase in the number of cases where people have contracted some illness from a tick bite," said Freed.

"Lyme disease isn't the only concern with a tick bite. There are a number of tick borne illnesses that are not as well known which are successfully treated with antibiotics," explained Karen Evans, Health Department RN.

"If you have been in an area where a tick might commonly live, and you feel achy with an elevated temperature, you should contact your health care professional to get the proper medication," added Evans. "Even if you have not had to remove a tick, you may have been bitten without knowing it, and the tick may have just fallen off."

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, some of the diseases you can get from a tick bite are Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

Online sources show that Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in the Northern Hemisphere. It is estimated to affect 300,000 people a year in the United States, usually occurring in the early spring and summer.

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks. The disease does not appear to be transmissible between people, by other animals or through food. Blood tests are often negative in the early stages of the disease.

"Most important is to consult your doctor if you have persistent sore muscles, headache, or high temperature," said Evans. "A small rash may appear where the bite occurred, and it may or may not itch. "

Prevention is the key according to the Scott County Health Department. Use a chemical repellant with DEET, permethrin or picaridin, wear light-colored protective clothing, tuck pant legs into socks (health concerns trump fashion), avoid tick-infected areas and check yourself , your kids and your pets daily for ticks. Use tweezers to remove ticks.

No need to feel ticked off, the Scott County Health Department has a program designed to let you enjoy a walk outdoors.

"The physical and mental benefits of walking are well established," said Freed. "The Walking Club is starting its fourth year, and we have a walking club for adults and a separate walking club for kids called Junior Trailblazers."

Junior Trailblazers meets at 6 p.m. at the Clinton Building in the Sikeston Sports Complex on the first Tuesday of each month from March to October.

The adult Walking Club meets at the same location and time on the second Tuesday of the month.

Freed encourages everyone to attend the Walking Club.

"The track around the lake is a half mile, and recent improvements by the city of Sikeston have extended the trail from the large flag at the entrance of the Sports Complex to Veterans Park which makes it three miles," she said.

The track is available for 5k hosting, according to Freed.