Tick bites in the Northeast are leading to a surge in emergency room visits, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) tick tracker. The data reveals that visits to the emergency department for tick bites have increased by more than 30% compared to last year in the Northeast region alone. Experts are urging people to be extra cautious when spending time outdoors.
Dr. Grace Marx, medical director with the CDC’s Division of Vector-borne Diseases, emphasizes the importance of preventing tick bites in order to avoid becoming sick. She advises people to take measures such as using EPA-registered insect repellents, conducting thorough tick checks on their bodies and clothing after being in potentially infested areas, and taking a shower soon after coming indoors.
The CDC’s online tick tracker is an invaluable tool that allows users to track and visualize tick-borne disease data across the United States. The platform also provides recommended actions and resources based on user responses.
One of the key recommendations to prevent tick bites is to remove ticks promptly from the skin. Fine-tipped tweezers can be used at home for this purpose. Another effective method of protection is treating clothing with tick-repellent chemicals that contain permethrin.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the US and accounts for the majority of cases. However, there are other diseases to be aware of, such as ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, tularemia, and Powassan virus disease.
It is crucial to seek medical attention and provide information if you have been bitten by a tick, especially if symptoms such as a bullseye rash, fever, nausea, headache, or flu-like symptoms develop.
This important information has been brought to you by the New England News Collaborative and was originally published by Connecticut Public Radio. The rise in tick-related emergency room visits in the Northeast serves as a reminder for all individuals to take precautions when venturing outdoors to protect themselves from the risks associated with tick bites.
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