Kentucky health officials say they are seeing a spike in reported cases of tick-borne illnesses this year, much of that is to do with public awareness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tick-borne diseases exhibit similar symptoms such as fever, fatigue and rashes and aches around the bite area.
Pennyrile District Health Department Director Charles Hiter says the number of reported cases is on track to exceed last year’s number of 27. But he says the rise isn’t because of more ticks, but more testing.
“So far we’ve had 25 cases investigated in 2016, and the numbers seem to be a little bit of a spike," said Hiter. "When that hits the press and that made the news earlier in the summer, that starts people talking and more people go to get tested by their doctors.”
Hiter says the number people carrying a tickborne disease could be higher as some symptoms can take years to manifest.
“We do have ticks in this region that can carry and transmit the four main diseases," said Hiter. "Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the big one, technically known as spotted fever rickitosis. And people think Lyme’s Disease is another one but actually in our cases, Lyme’s diseases is typically smaller.”
Ehrlichiosis and tularemia are also common tickborne diseases.
Hiter says the best defense is prevention: identify tick-prone areas, walk in the center of trails away from tall grass, use repellents containing 20 to 30% DEET, remove shoes and boots before coming indoors, shower regularly and tumble dry clothing on high heat for 15 minutes to kill any hitchhiker ticks.
Anyone suspecting a tick bite to develop a rash should visit a doctor immediately.
