Ontario County Public Health says Lyme Disease is more common in our area than you may think.
Cases of tick-borne illness are on the rise, though some areas of the county have more cases than others.
Below is a map showing the zip codes most affected by cases of Lyme Disease. Also available here.
How do you know if you’re infected?
Lyme Disease is transmitted to people and pets by infected ticks when they bite. If you have been bitten by a tick and develop symptoms, Ontario County Public Health advises you to call your healthcare provider.
The most common symptoms of early Lyme Disease are: Fever, chills, aches, painful joints, headache, fatigue, and rash. A rash may be the first sign of infection, appearing within 3-30 days. It is usually circular and looks like a bullseye.
Early recognition and treatment of Lyme Disease decreases the risk of serious complications. See a healthcare provider immediately if you have been bitten by a tick and experience any of the symptoms described above.
Prevention of tick bites is the key to preventing Lyme Disease
Here are some tips from the county:
- Avoid direct contact with ticks.
- Keep your yard neat: remove any trash, mow grass and rake up cuttings.
- Walk in the center of trails, avoiding leaf litter, woody, brushy and grassy areas. Repel ticks on Skin and Clothing
- Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET or picaridin. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding hands, eyes, and mouth. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Do not put permethrin on your skin.
- Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off repellent and check for ticks. Toss clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks.
For more information, please visit the Ontario County website.
