The Tuscarawas County health department is sharing an urgent warning as local lyme disease infections soar to record levels.
Communicable disease nurse Valerie Wallace says the 74 suspected cases reported to the agency between May 1st and the end of June is a 68-percent increase from the same timeframe a year ago.
“And we’ve already seen another 31 suspected cases for July and that’s increasing every day.”
Lyme disease is contracted through the bite of an infected tick and is often accompanied by a bullseye-shaped rash, and muscle or joint pain. Wallace says it can cause serious and even life-threatening complications if left untreated.
“Sometimes those symptoms can be kind of vague where it’s symptoms for a lot of other things as well, so if you are having those symptoms, anything that’s persistent, call you doctor.”
Residents can lower their risk by taking take precautions when spending time outdoors. The health department suggests covering up your arms and legs, using an insect repellent, and conducting ‘tick checks’ on yourself and loved ones.
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