Ticks and Lyme disease
Lyme disease is the most common disease caused by ticks in Virginia and the United States. For the past 10 years, Virginia has reported more than 1,000 cases each year. The CDC estimated that the true number may be 10 times higher. The number of cases has increased recently, with 2017 being the highest year on record, with 1,652 cases reported.
Lyme disease is usually spread by tiny, black-legged, black-nymphal ticks. They are less than 1/16 inch long. Ticks are mostly found on the ground in wooded areas that have dense leaf litter. Pets can also bring ticks into the home.
Symptoms
Due to this tick’s small size and painless bite, people often don’t realize they’ve been bitten unless they see the tick attached to their skin. The first symptom of Lyme disease includes a rash that may appear like a bull’s-eye. Other symptoms include:
Fever
Fatigue
Headache
muscle and joint pain
swollen lymph nodes
Prevention
To prevent ticks, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents on your shoes, socks, and calves that contain:
DEET (20%-50% concentration),
picaridin,
IR3535,
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil (OLE),
Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or
2-undecanone
Follow etiquette when using any repellent. These repellents are also useful against other ticks and mosquitoes.
Pants, shoes, and socks can also be treated with permethrin (an insecticide safe to use on clothing worn by people). Carefully follow Permethrin label directions when treating clothing. Permethrin should not be applied directly to the skin. Anything treated with it must be completely dry before use. It is recommended to tuck treated pants into treated socks.
After returning indoors, check your clothing and do a full body check for ticks. Check equipment and pets for ticks and shower within 2 hours of being outdoors. This helps remove loose ticks and will help you perform a full body check.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2019/08/Tick-borne-Disease-in-Virginia-Flyer-8.5-x-11-format-for-website-.pdf
Source: www.vdh.virginia.gov