anaplasmosis
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic reports that in the summer months, its physicians see an increase in patients being treated, and even hospitalized, for tick-borne illnesses. In the upper Midwest, 40 percent of tick bites occur in July. However, even avid fans of the great outdoors can fully enjoy all their favorite activities without fear if they take the proper steps to protect themselves. To protect you against tick-borne diseases, the Mayo Clinic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and its reference laboratory Mayo Medical Laboratories have developed “The ABCs of Ticks” flash cards. “These unique online cards explain from A to Z what a person needs to know about staying safe this summer and avoiding ticks,” says Bobbi Pritt, M.D., director of the Clinical Parasitology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic. “Each card discusses something about ticks; how to avoid them; and how to enjoy a safe, tick-free summer with your family, friends, and our furry pets.” MEDIA CONTACT: Gina Chiri-Osmond, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu
Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn., reports seeing an increase in patients being treated, and even hospitalized, for tick-borne illnesses. The clear message from Mother Nature - tick season is in full swing. In fact, 40 percent of tick bites in the upper Midwest occur in July. However, even avid fans of the great outdoors can fully enjoy all their favorite activities without fear if they take the proper steps to protect themselves.
Tick Tips:
- Use a suitable insect repellent.
- Check yourself, your children and your pets after spending time outdoors.
- To reduce risk on hikes, stay on trails. If you leave the path, wear long pants tucked into your socks.
- If you find ticks, remove them right away. Use force and pinch the tick near its mouth parts, pulling the tick out slowly in a continuous motion. Don’t twist it, which may leave mouth parts embedded in the skin.
- Keep grass short in yards and avoid ungroomed areas.
Spring has only just arrived, but tick season is well under way. Physicians are seeing new cases of tick-borne illness several weeks earlier than usual, likely because a mild winter in much of the country made life easier for ticks and their offspring. That means it’s time for gardeners, hikers, pet owners and others who spend time outdoors to take steps to protect themselves -- and to watch for symptoms of tick-borne illness if they do come in contact with the tiny bloodsuckers. “We’ve already started getting positives for tick-borne disease such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis,” says Bobbi Pritt, M.D., a Mayo Clinic microbiologist and director of the Clinical Parasitology and Virology Laboratories. That is a month or two earlier than normal for Minnesota and other states with unusually warm weather in recent months are likely seeing the same.
