Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department Provides Tips to Avoid Ticks
ZANESVILLE, OH – As temperatures rise, the Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department is urging the community to take extra precautions during tick season.
Ticks are carriers of various diseases like Lyme disease, which can have long-term health effects if not treated early. Officials recommend several strategies to minimize the risk of tick bites, including wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, using tick repellents, and performing tick checks after spending time outside.
“It’s wise to be aware of how you can pick up ticks. They’re found primarily in long grasses, leaf piles, vegetation debris, and they latch onto your clothing as you walk by. You want to be aware of your surroundings. The way to stay tick free is to stay to the middle of paths, try to stay out of the long grasses and the piled-up leaves,” Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department Medical Director Jack Butterfield said.
In case of a tick bite, the recommended procedure is to remove the tick with clean tweezers and to disinfect the bite area. It’s important to monitor for symptoms such as rash, fever, muscle pain, or fatigue in the weeks following a bite. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
“Lyme disease is prevalent. It’s more prevalent in the eastern part of the state. The eastern central part of the state, which we’re kind of right on that border. Interestingly, last year, Muskingum County had the greatest number of Lyme disease cases in Ohio, of all the counties,” Dr. Butterfield said.
For more information on tickborne diseases and prevention tips, visit the Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department’s website.
