Tag

Tick Prevention

All articles tagged with #tick prevention

health12 days ago•30 min saved

Rhode Island reports second Powassan case in 2026, health officials urge tick prevention

Rhode Island health officials announced a Newport County man in his 70s has Powassan virus disease, marking the state’s second case in 2026 and tenth overall. Powassan is a rare tick-borne illness whose initial symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness and can progress to meningoencephalitis. There is no vaccine or targeted treatment. To reduce risk, residents should avoid wooded or tall-grass areas, wear long sleeves and pants, use EPA-approved DEET, and perform tick checks with prompt removal.

via WJAR|

#health #meningoencephalitis #powassan

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Tick bites surge in US and UK as climate and habitat shift

Tick bites are rising in the US and UK due to climate-driven expansion of tick habitats and suburban land-use changes, with Lyme disease cases up in both regions. Practical prevention includes performing regular tick checks after outdoor activity, showering to wash off unattached ticks, and removing any attached tick with fine-tipped tweezers within 24 hours; save the tick for potential testing and seek medical advice for possible antibiotic prophylaxis if bitten. Additional tips include using repellents, wearing protective clothing, landscaping to reduce tick habitat, and consulting a clinician if symptoms develop in the weeks after a bite; pet owners should also check animals for ticks.

via The Guardian|

#climate-change #health #lyme-disease

health1 month ago•14 min saved

Keep ticks at bay: practical ways to prevent bites in your yard and on trails

Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses; this explainer covers why ticks bite, how to prevent bites in yards and on hikes, the steps to safely remove a tick if bitten, yard-management tactics to reduce tick habitats, and when to seek medical care if symptoms develop.

via The Conversation|

#health #lyme-disease #outdoor-safety

local2 months ago•27 min saved

Early tick season prompts caution in Central New York

Tick season is arriving early in Central New York, boosted by a snowy winter that allowed more ticks to survive into spring and raise exposure risk for outdoor activities. The black-legged tick, which spreads Lyme disease, is of particular concern, and researchers monitor activity using a tick drag. Prevention is key: use EPA-recommended repellents like DEET, wear permethrin-treated clothing, perform full-body tick checks after spending time outdoors, and remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers; save the tick in a sealed bag for testing if needed and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms arise.

via WSTM|

#central-new-york #local #lyme-disease

health2 months ago•6 min saved

Warm Weather Sparks Minnesota Tick Surge as Outdoor Activity Rises

Warmer temperatures and more outdoor activity are driving a rise in tick bites and tick-borne illness visits in Minnesota, with Lyme disease most common and ticks expanding north due to climate change. Not all ticks carry disease, but exposure is increasing along trails and wood edges. Research on tick microbiomes and hosts like white-footed mice aims to explain transmission; a Lyme vaccine is in development. Prevention includes repellents, showering after outdoor activities, and drying clothing; healthcare providers may prescribe doxycycline post-exposure within 72 hours for attached blacklegged ticks. Stay vigilant during the outdoor season.

via MPR News|

#climate-change #health #lyme-disease

outdoors2 months ago•11 min saved

Mild Winter Spurs Tick Surge: Precautions for Outdoors

A mild Utah/Idaho winter has boosted tick populations, increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Health experts urge precautions when outdoors: use EPA-approved DEET repellent (20%+), wear light-colored long sleeves and closed shoes, avoid tall grasses, and perform thorough tick checks on people, pets, and clothing. To reduce tick activity around homes, maintain lawns, trim vegetation, remove leaf litter, create a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel around play areas, and deter wildlife. If a tick is found, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, avoiding the mouthparts, and seek medical care if part remains embedded or symptoms appear. As warmer weather arrives, tick activity is expected to rise; for more guidance, consult the University of Idaho extension in Bannock County.

via KSL News|

#idaho #outdoor-safety #outdoors

local-news2 months ago•20 min saved

Berkshire Tick Season Sparks Urgent-Care Surge and Alpha-gal Syndrome Cases

Warmer Berkshire weather is driving more tick activity, with Berkshire Health Systems’ urgent-care centers reporting a rise in tick-related visits and two Alpha-gal syndrome cases linked to Lone Star ticks. Health officials note climate-driven shifts in tick populations and emphasize prevention: treat clothing with permethrin, perform frequent body checks after outdoors activities, run clothes through a hot dryer, and use a tick spoon for removal. Most bites don’t require ER care, but consult a nurse hotline or urgent care if unsure.

via The Berkshire Eagle|

#alpha-gal-syndrome #berkshire-health-systems #local-news

health4 months ago•3 min saved

Tick Bites Drive Northeast ER Visits to Decade-High, CDC Data Show

CDC data show emergency room visits for tick-related complaints are climbing nationwide, with the Northeast at 163 per 100,000 visits (up from 52) and the national rate at 71 per 100,000—the highest in about a decade. Health officials point to earlier tick activity and greater awareness contributing to the rise; Connecticut is seeing rising Lyme disease cases, and the report notes risk from multiple tick-borne illnesses. Preventive steps include avoiding high-risk outdoor areas, using EPA-registered repellents, treating clothing with permethrin, wearing protective clothing, performing full-body tick checks, showering after outdoor time, and reducing tick habitat around home.

via Patch|

#cdc-data #er-visits #health

wellbeing4 months ago•18 min saved

Tick-Proof Your Yard: Simple Steps to Reduce Lyme Risk

You can’t completely eliminate ticks, but you can lower your risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme by smart yard practices such as reducing brush and leaf litter, mowing and trimming tall grasses near living spaces, creating tick-safe zones, and considering pet safety.

via The Washington Post|

#lyme-disease #outdoor-safety #tick-prevention

health4 months ago•4 min saved

Massachusetts confronts rising alpha-gal syndrome as Lone Star ticks move north

Massachusetts officials warn that alpha-gal syndrome, a meat and dairy allergy triggered by Lone Star tick bites, is emerging as a public health concern as the tick spreads north, with established populations on Martha's Vineyard and in Barnstable County; the state is tracking cases as a reportable condition and recommends tick checks, showers, heat-drying clothing, and yard maintenance to prevent bites amid rising demand for tick treatments.

via CBS News|

#alpha-gal-syndrome #health #lone-star-tick

health11 months ago•1 min saved

Illinois Faces Rising Threat of Tick-Borne Diseases and Infections

An Illinois resident has become seriously ill from the Powassan virus, a tick-borne disease not previously reported in the state, prompting increased surveillance and public health warnings about tick bite prevention.

via NBC 5 Chicago|

#health #illinois #powassan-virus

health1 year ago•2 min saved

Rising Tick Bites Prompt Urgent Health Warnings and Prevention Tips

Doctors in the US are seeing a rise in tick bites and related ER visits, driven by environmental changes and increased awareness, highlighting the importance of prevention and quick removal to reduce disease risk, especially Lyme disease.

via yahoo.com|

#disease-risk #er-visits #health

health1 year ago•4 min saved

Health Officials Investigate Powassan Virus Cases on Martha's Vineyard

Public health officials are investigating a potential case of Powassan virus on Martha's Vineyard, a rare but serious tick-borne disease with no specific treatment, which has seen a slight increase in cases nationally and in Massachusetts. Preventative measures include treating clothing with permethrin, wearing tick-smart clothing, and performing thorough tick checks.

via WCVB|

#health #marthas-vineyard #powassan-virus

health1 year ago•4 min saved

Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod Investigate Rare Tick-Borne Virus Cases

A rare case of Powassan virus has been diagnosed in a one-month-old infant on Martha's Vineyard, making her the youngest known patient to contract the virus. The virus was transmitted through a tick bite, leading to severe health issues including brain damage and seizures. The family is urging caution and tick prevention, as there is no cure or vaccine for Powassan, which can be transmitted within 15 minutes of a tick bite. The community has rallied to support the family financially and emotionally.

via The Vineyard Gazette|

#health #infant-case #marthas-vineyard

health1 year ago•5 min saved

Rising Tick Encounters and the Growing Need for Prevention

The article discusses the risks associated with ticks, especially Lyme disease, emphasizing that while tick populations are increasing and they can carry serious illnesses, the actual risk varies by location and proper precautions can significantly reduce the danger. It highlights the importance of identifying ticks, understanding their behavior, and taking preventive measures based on regional risk levels.

via The New York Times|

#health #lyme-disease #public-health