New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Offers tips for avoiding tickborne illness
Concord, NH – With New Hampshire’s tick populations surging in the late spring and early summer, Lyme disease diagnoses often peak in July and August. The warmest winter on record and climate change mean that anyone enjoying the outdoors should be vigilant, and take the right precautions against ticks. New Hampshire has consistently had one of the highest incidence rates of Lyme disease in the nation, with most disease-carrying ticks in the southern tier of the state.
“There is a high risk of Lyme disease in New Hampshire,” said Marcella Bobinsky, Acting Director of Public Health at DHHS, “because more than half of the ticks we have tested were found to be infected with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. It is so important for people in New Hampshire to not become complacent and to take measures to prevent tick bites, even when working in the yard or walking the dog. An important step is looking for and removing ticks from ourselves, our children, and our pets, and not just the large adult ticks but the smaller nymph stage ticks as well.”
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is launching a public awareness campaign beginning this July on the risk of Lyme disease and how to prevent tick bites. New Public Service Announcements, or PSAs, will provide information about how to avoid Lyme disease and other illnesses spread by the bite of the black-legged tick in New Hampshire. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium and typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, and a characteristic skin rash in the shape of a bull’s-eye called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. Blacklegged ticks can also carry and transmit other illnesses such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis, both of which have been seen an increase in New Hampshire.
The PSA will run during July and August statewide. The goal is to increase awareness of the need for prevention of tickborne diseases, with a special emphasis on those most at risk for tick bites, including children 2–13 years of age, gardening enthusiasts, and casual outdoor recreationalists.
Using an effective repellent that contains 20–30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on exposed skin and clothing is the best protection against tick bites and lasts for several hours. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions. It is also helpful to treat clothing and outdoor gear, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Performing a full-body tick check when returning inside from outdoors, removing clothing in the garage or outside to avoid bringing ticks in, drying clothes on high for at least 10 minutes, showering soon after returning indoors, and promptly and correctly removing any ticks found on people or pets are other important prevention steps.
To learn more about Lyme disease and prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html or the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services at www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/