Tick Season Worse This Year

The Health Department is warning people to be more aware about ticks.

Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses peak between May and July.

They have been ramping up a public education campaign to help inform people the best ways to protect themselves. The effort is in response to an increasing number of tick-borne illnesses being reported.

Here are some tips to remember, Wear repellent, check daily for ticks, call your the doctor if you experience a rash or fever.

Residents should check themselves for ticks after being outside because it takes 24 hours of the arachnid being attached — likely to heads, neck, and ears where the skin is thinner to a host to infect them with the disease. Also, don't forget to check your pets too.

If one is found attached, health officials recommend pulling it out with tweezers and then saving it to send to the laboratory to be tested.

The year ended with 127 reported cases of Lyme disease, 34 cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and two cases of babesiosis. But, health officials say that is only a portion of the cases reported.