Insect-borne diseases on the rise in Ohio; Preventative tips offered

Anyone considering outdoor activities and jubilances during the summer were warned of the creepy-crawly insects that tended to fester and infect people with diseases.

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People were highly encouraged to take precautions to prevent ticks and mosquito bites that may carry diseases, Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff said.

Most diseases in Ohio that were caused by an insects bite happened between spring and fall when ticks were most active.

The most common disease spread by ticks in Ohio were Lyme disease, which was on the rise in the state. Just this year so far, 121 cases were reported and 552 were reported last year. The disease was known to cause fever, headaches, and fatigue among other symptoms.

Mosquitoes were also active during warmer months and they were known to carry diseases such as West Nile and La Crosse virus. Seven West Nile virus cases were reported last year, which caused one death. 13 La Crosse virus cases were additionally reported in Ohio.

Those infected with these viruses saw symptoms like fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

“Of course, we want Ohioans to enjoy the outdoors in the summer months as part of an active, healthy lifestyle, but you should be thinking about protection against ticks and mosquitoes,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “Taking simple precautions can prevent potentially serious diseases.”

The ODH recommended these tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• Use EPA-registered repellents when going outdoors according to label instructions.
• Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
• Consider avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito biting hours (dusk to dawn).
• Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with an EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection.
• Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water on a regular basis from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and bird baths.

The ODH recommended these tips to avoid tick bites:

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
• Walk in the center of trails.
• Use insect repellents registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) labeled for use against ticks on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours. Always follow the product label.
• Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and tuck shirts into pants to keep ticks on the outside of your clothing.
• Light-colored clothing will help you spot ticks more easily.

“If you find a tick attached to your skin, the best way to remove it is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull away from your skin with steady, even pressure. Wash your hands and the bite area with soap and water,” a spokesperson with the Ohio Department of Health said.

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