Some Tick Bites Are Deadly: Illinois Agency Offers Safety Tips

ILLINOIS — The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging residents to take precautions against tick bites, some of which can lead to fatal diseases.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are seen in the United States each year. The illness is spread by ticks, which reside in every state except Alaska. Lyme disease is not often fatal and may present only flu-like symptoms early on, although it may become late-stage or chronic if not diagnosed and treated. Other tick-borne diseases can cause death in less than a week.

Tularemia, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the most deadly, are all spread when a young tick attaches to the body and transmits its infected saliva. Transmission is most common in nymphal ticks because their small size lets them feed unnoticed for longer. Young ticks are about the size of a poppy seed but will grow as they suck more of the host's blood.

"To avoid tick bites, residents should diligently check themselves, their pets and help children with a tick check after spending time in areas where ticks live, such as in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush," the health department said in a statement.

If a tick is removed within 24 hours, the risk of disease is much lower.

Below are tips for spending time outdoors while staying safe from tick-borne illnesses:

• Walk in the center of trails.
• Avoid wooded, bushy areas with high grass.
• Wear light-colored clothing to make dark brown ticks easier to find.
• Tuck long pants into socks and boots.
• Apply and reapply an EPA-registered insect repellent. The most effective contain 20 percent DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil.
• Conduct a full-body tick check once returning home from outings. Common areas for ticks to hide include armpits, ears, belly buttons, behind the knees and on the scalp.
• Check pets and gear taken outside.
• Put your clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to ensure ticks are dead.

If you find a tick on yourself, the IDPH suggests keeping the bug to help your local health department identify the species. Place the bug in rubbing alcohol or any well-sealed bag before delivering.

Despite mild symptoms, tick-borne illnesses should be taken seriously, officials say. Health agencies recommend contacting a health care provider with any fever or rash after being in a wooded area. At their worst, untreated Rock Mountain spotted fever from black-legged ticks can cause death in as little as five days.

For more information on Lyme disease and tick prevention, visit the IDPH website. For a more detailed look at ticks in your area, visit the IDPH Tick Surveillance Map.