Keep your family safe from Lyme disease this summer

OREGON – It is that time of year when people enjoy being outside.

But it is also the time of year that people must be vigilant when it comes to outdoor pests like ticks, which can carry Lyme disease.

That’s where Jeremy Myers comes in. He is an environment health inspector for Ogle County. An Army veteran, Myers received his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Oakland University in Michigan. He will be pursuing a master’s degree in public health from Northern Illinois university and currently specializes in public health entomology and Vector borne disease.

Myers, 31, agreed to answer some questions about Lyme disease, and how people can protect themselves.

Question: What is Lyme disease?

Answer: Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.  Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.  Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Basically it is a debilitating disease that leaves the afflicted with pain in the joints and body, leading to other symptoms that cause overall quality of life to suffer. One of the key onset symptoms is a bullseye rash. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html

1. How do people most commonly get it?
2. Most people are typically exposed to and contract Lyme disease via bites from ticks that are carrying the disease. These bites can occur while afield during trips to wooded or scrub brush areas. These bites may also occur while home in your very own backyard, although this proves to be uncommon in urban areas.

1. How are ticks infected with it?
2. Ticks are typically infected with Lyme disease when they bite a host like a mouse that is already infected with the disease. Then they go on to find another host and spread the disease further.

1. How can people safeguard themselves against Lyme?
2. While there are antibiotic treatments for individuals who contract Lyme disease, the best course of action is prevention. Wearing long sleeves and pants when going into wooded and scrub areas.

Individuals can also use clothing and equipment treated with permethrin in addition to using Deet based insect repellants applied properly and regularly. Keep in mind that permethrin is lethal to cats so use caution around pets of this type. Lastly checking for ticks after outdoor activities has proven to be the most effective way to safeguard your family and pets against tick borne disease.

1. Is there any other information people should know that will help them avoid problems this summer?
2. Forget all of your home remedies for tick removal. The recommended way to remove ticks is to use sharp nosed forceps, tweezers or your fingers to grab the tick as closely to the head and mouth parts as possible and pull up slowly and deliberately until the tick becomes dislodged. It is also important to note that it takes 24-48 hours for Lyme disease to be transmitted to the host so quick removal is paramount. If you have any additional questions. Do not hesitate to reach out to the ogle county health Department VIA our facebook page or by Calling our office at 815-562-6976.