Even if summer hasn’t officially arrived yet, most of us have already been getting outdoors quite a bit lately, a much welcomed time to enjoy the warm, sunny days. That said, there is yet another not-so-pleasant aspect of our natural world that’s already made its presence known, way ahead of summer, namely ticks. Unfortunately, Ohio is seeing a significant increase in both tick populations and the diversity of tick species.
Going back a couple of decades, it was mainly the American dog tick that posed a little bit of a concern to us here in Ohio. Nowadays, we know of six tick species that have showed up in the Buckeye state, some considered medically important, including the Blacklegged (deer) tick that can carry the Lyme disease.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, the number of Lyme disease cases in the state has increased rapidly over the past decade. There were 121 positive cases of Lyme disease known to Ohio in 2014. Last year, there were over 1,700 cases reported, that’s greater than a ten-fold increase!
Due to the growing concerns amongst outdoor enthusiasts who may have encountered a tick, the Ohio State University is helping protect people and pets by identifying ticks and the diseases they carry. Newly launched is the Buckeye Tick Test, a new pathogen testing service that offers comprehensive identification and disease screening for ticks found on humans and animals.
Through this program, you now have the opportunity to mail in the tick for an analysis and for a fee, will identify the tick species and screens for multiple pathogens, including those causing Lyme disease and other ailments. Having this service available now should provide some peace of mind, if one has been bitten by a tick.
You’ve heard that old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, so when heading outdoors, be sure to take precaution measures. Among the best ways to prevent tick bites is by wearing a reputable tick repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your socks to limit access to your skin.
Also, be sure to perform a thorough tick check whenever you return from the outdoors. And take precautions with regard to your pets, as well. Talk with your veterinarian about recommended tick prevention products that can be used on your furry companions. For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Health or the Ohio State University Extension’s websites.
