Be Aware of Ticks While Spending Time Outdoors

Follow simple steps to protect against tick-borne illnesses

NEW CITY, NY, - Spending more time outdoors with the warmer weather? The Rockland County Department of Health reminds residents to take proactive steps to prevent tick bites. Not all ticks carry disease, and not every tick bite causes illness. However, it's important to know how to prevent bites, safely remove ticks, and what to do if you think you could have a tick-borne illness.

Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks. It is the most common disease spread by ticks in New York, and the risk of encountering an infected deer tick in the Hudson Valley region is high. Ticks that carry Lyme disease continue to be found in Rockland.

Follow these steps to protect against tick-borne illnesses: 

• Avoid contact with ticks 
• Stay on clear, well-traveled trails
• Walk in the center of trails
• Avoid dense woods and bushy areas
• Avoid sitting directly on the ground or stone walls
• Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors
• Brush any ticks off before they attach
• Do a complete check of your skin when you go back inside
• Do a tick check when you bathe or shower, preferably within two hours, to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you
• Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day 
• Remove any ticks promptly
• Be sure to check for ticks on children and pets
• Remove any attached ticks using this safe method: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouthparts as close to the skin as possible. Do not twist, turn, or squeeze the tick's body. Instead, pull the tick in a steady, upward motion away from the skin until the tick lets go. To lessen your chance of infection, remove an attached tick as soon as possible.
• Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes
• Tuck your shirt into your pants and pant legs into your socks
• Wear sneakers or boots, not sandals
• Tie back long hair or wear a hat
• Consider the use of insect repellent. Carefully read and follow the directions on the repellent label. 

If you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss any treatment and further prevention options.  

Other serious diseases transmitted by ticks include Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and the rare but potentially severe Powassan virus. These diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms, from fever and fatigue to neurological complications, and early detection is key to effective treatment. 

"Prevention is the best defense. Ticks, like many of us, become more active during warmer weather.  Simple steps like using tick repellent, wearing protective clothing, and performing regular tick checks after spending time outdoors can greatly reduce your risk of getting a tick-borne illness," said Dr. Mary Leahy, Rockland County Commissioner of Health. 

For more information, visit:  Rockland County Department of Health and New York State Department of Health.

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