tick-borne illness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting the highest rate of tick-bite cases in more than five years, and Illinois doctors are urging people to take preventive measures to curb being infected by these pests.

Tick season is here and Missouri is seeing increases in infections as people interact more with the wild, and tick season grows longer. The most common tick-borne illnesses in the state are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis (ER-lich-i-o-sis), tularemia (TO·la·ree·me·a) as well as emerging viruses such as Heartland and Bourbon, and Alpha-Gal Syndrome, which causes an allergic reaction to meat.

As seasons become warmer due to climate change, more ticks survive, thrive and multiply, latching onto animals and humans and spreading diseases including Lyme disease and Heartland virus. A recent study by University of Missouri researchers found ticks are active eight months out of the year, from early spring through late fall. The extended season mean more ticks spread potentially fatal diseases.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says nature-lovers need to be on the lookout for early symptoms of tick-borne illnesses this summer.…