FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Take Appropriate Precautionary Measures Against Tick Bites
WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI (July 3, 2017) – Johnson County Community Health Services (JCCHS) along with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is encouraging residents to protect themselves from ticks. Missouri has seen an increase in several different human tick-borne diseases including: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Bourbon virus infection, and others
Avoiding exposure to ticks is critical to the prevention of tick-borne disease. The best practice to avoid tick bites is to use a repellent with a minimum of 20% DEET. Keeping lawns cut short and trimming shrubs and trees to increase sunlight can help make these areas less hospitable for ticks. People with outdoor pets should talk with their veterinarian about using an effective parasite prevention treatment.
In addition to preventing bites, prompt removal of ticks can help prevent disease:
Using tweezers, grasp tick near its mouth and as close to your skin as possible. Pull tick firmly, straight out, away from skin. Do not jerk or twist the tick. Do NOT use alcohol, matches, liquid soap, or petroleum jelly to remove a tick. Wash your hands and the bite site with soap and water after the tick is removed. Apply an antiseptic to the bite site.
Watch for symptoms of tick-borne disease in the days and weeks following a tick bite. These include any unusual rash and unexplained flu-like symptoms, including fever, severe headaches, body aches, and dizziness.
Symptoms of tick-borne diseases often are mild, but they should not be ignored. If you know you’ve been bitten by a tick and any of the above symptoms appear, consult a doctor and mention the recent tick bite. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent serious illness or even death.
Information can be found at www.cdc.gov/features/stopticks/index.html
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