Illinois State Representative Daniel Swanson announced on May 11 that May is recognized as Lyme Disease Awareness Month, urging residents to take precautions against ticks while spending time outdoors. The announcement comes as spring brings more people outside, increasing the risk of tick encounters in tall grass and wooded areas.
Lyme disease poses a significant health concern, with about 40% of black-legged ticks testing positive for the disease and approximately 476,000 new cases reported nationwide each year. Swanson said outdoor workers are at greater risk but emphasized that any outdoor activity can result in exposure to ticks. He recommended treating clothing and gear with permethrin and conducting thorough tick checks after returning indoors.
“If you find a tick, use fine-pointed tweezers to remove it, save the tick for testing and talk with your doctor if you have concerns,” Swanson said. He also noted that early symptoms of Lyme disease can be mistaken for other illnesses, including fatigue, fever, chills, headache and minor joint pain. “The bullseye rash which is thought by many to be a telltale sign of Lyme is usually only present in about half of all cases,” Swanson said. “So while seeing the bullseye rash is a very strong indicator of Lyme, the lack of a bullseye rash does not necessarily mean someone does not have Lyme disease.”
Swanson was elected as a Republican to represent Illinois’s 71st House District in 2023 following Donald L. Moffitt’s tenure as state representative, according to Ballotpedia.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about protecting themselves from Lyme disease by visiting the Illinois Lyme Association.
