Ticks and Your Safety

Ticks
Ticks are common throughout the recreation area; some carry Lyme Disease. This is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. The longer that an infected tick feeds on you, the more likely there will be disease transmission. Ticks carrying Lyme disease can also infect you at the same time with other serious diseases, called co-infections.

 

Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is a serious illness that can go undiagnosed if the affected person is not alert to its causes and symptoms, or if the infection is diagnosed but not sufficiently treated. Undiagnosed and untreated Lyme Disease can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system, even years after infection.

Not all tick bites will result in the characteristic "bull's eye rash" shown at right. If you find a tick, especially an engorged tick (shown above), attached to you, remove and save the tick; seek medical attention.

 

Prevention
• Use tick repellents with DEET, according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves, and long pants with socks tucked into pants
• Do frequent "tick checks" of yourself and any children with you
• Ticks are common in high grasses, but always check for ticks after any outdoor activities.