DELAWARE — Summer season is tick season, and Delaware County is no exception.
This year’s ticks have brought a surge of Lyme disease cases across Ohio, with the Ohio Department of Health’s interactive Infectious Disease dashboard reporting 515 cases — six in Delaware County and 38 in neighboring Licking County.
The Delaware Public Health District (DPHD) oversees tick-related disease cases and has found Lyme disease to be an increasing concern, according to a recent statement.
DPHD conducts ongoing tick surveillance throughout Delaware County to better understand local tick populations and identify potential public health risks.
Tick surveillance
One of their surveillance strategies is “tick dragging,” a process where an environmental health staff member pulls a cloth through park and public area vegetation to collect ticks for identification.
But the district has also partnered with Preservation Parks District to launch a new pilot program this year.
DPHD installed tick collection jars at Blues Creek Park and Gallant Woods Park.
“Visitors who find a tick on themselves or a pet while visiting the parks can place the tick in the collection jar. These samples help the Health District better understand where ticks are active and what species are present in the county,” the health district said.
So far, DPHD has collected 20 ticks through the jars. All were American Dog Ticks, which do not transmit Lyme disease, but they can carry the bacteria responsible for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Tick surveillance provides valuable insight into:
- Which tick species are present in Delaware County
- Changes in tick populations over time
- Areas where residents may be at greater risk of exposure
- Emerging tick species that may carry new diseases
“Through our ongoing surveillance efforts, we are able to better understand local tick populations and provide important information to help keep our community safe,” Health Commissioner Garrett Guillozet said.
How to prevent tick bites
The simplest way to avoid Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever transmitted by ticks is to prevent them from biting you.
The DPHD recommends people:
- Stay on marked trails and avoid walking through tall grass, brush and leaf litter.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants and light-colored clothing when spending time outdoors.
- Tuck pants into socks to help prevent ticks from reaching your skin.
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent that is labeled for tick protection.
- Check yourself, children and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.
- Shower soon after coming indoors and wash outdoor clothing.
“Prevention is the best defense against tick-borne diseases. We encourage residents to take precautions when spending time outdoors, perform tick checks after outdoor activities and stay informed about tick activity in our area,” Guillozet said.
What to do if a tick bites you
If you find a tick biting you, do not swat it or flick it.
The best way to remove a tick is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, and pull away with steady, even pressure, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Do not twist or jerk the tweezers.
Remove ticks as soon as possible, but if you do not have immediate access to tweezers, wait until you do. Swatting or pulling with fingers risks leaving mouthparts stuck in the skin.
If you remove a tick and find mouthparts still in your skin, try to remove them with tweezers. If you cannot get them, leave it alone and wash the bite area, and your hands, with soap and water.
The Ohio Department of Health also advises against using petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or any other ‘folk’ remedies to remove a tick as these methods do not work.
Dispose the tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.
Keeping the tick in alcohol can later help with identification if necessary.
In the days following the bite, watch closely for symptoms that may indicate tick-borne diseases, including fever, chills, aches, pains, headache and rashes.
Visit the DPHD’s website for information about tick identification, a video demonstration of removal and other resources.
