State officials met to discuss the high numbers of ticks in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said, “this year in particular, we are seeing increases in the number of Lyme disease reports across the state, and clinicians are reporting that they are seeing more cases of other tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis.

The Wolf Administration reminds Pennsylvania residents and visitors of simple ways to reduce their chances of being bitten by ticks:  

·         Cover exposed skin with lightweight and light-colored clothing 

·         Avoid tick-infested habitats such as areas dense with shrubbery or tall grass 

·         Use an EPA-approved insect repellent  

·         Once returning home, immediately check yourself, children, and pets for ticks  

·         Take a shower immediately to remove ticks that may be crawling on skin  

·         If possible, dry clothing and gear in a dryer to kill any ticks  

Common signs of a tick disease include fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. Lyme disease is often characterized by a bulls eye-like rash, although Lyme disease may not always present itself with this obvious sign.

Transmission for Lyme disease from tick to human takes approximately 24 hours or more. If you have symptoms that are consistent with a tick-borne disease, it is important to speak to a doctor immediately.  

For more information on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health website.