As people enjoy time outdoors during the warmer summer months, it’s important to remember safety as it relates to tick borne illnesses.

Dallas County Health Department Community Health Administrator Abigail Chihak explains some of the diseases that ticks can pass on to humans. Chihak says another thing to remember is to check your pets for ticks as well as they can get diseases or bring the ticks indoors. 

“They carry a bacteria on them that can spread to us after they bite us and can cause diseases such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (and) Tularemia. Some of the best ways to prevent tick borne illness is to prevent getting bit by the tick. So, if you are going to be spending time outdoors make sure to use an EPA registered insect repellent. Those are going to have deet or some of those ingredients that help prevent you from getting bit.” 

Chihak tells Raccoon Valley Radio when you come inside it’s important to check your clothes for ticks. Chihak describes some of the symptoms of tick borne illnesses.

“If you develop a fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches or even a rash after tick bite or spending time outdoors make sure to talk to your doctor and make sure that they know you’d been outside or potentially exposed to a tick bite.”

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