Prairie State Wire

With the arrival of warmer weather, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is highlighting the importance of Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May. The department is urging residents to take precautions against ticks and Lyme disease.

"Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States affecting more than 500,000 people nationally each year. As the summer approaches, I encourage our residents to learn to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect yourself and your loved ones from tickborne illnesses. If you have been in wooded or high grassy areas and are experiencing symptoms – fever, fatigue, headache and a circular rash – see your health care provider immediately."

The IDPH has developed educational materials such as Pocket Cards and a Tick Defense Knowledge Check crossword puzzle for school-aged children to promote awareness about tickborne illnesses.

Dr. Vohra emphasized that checking oneself, pets, and children for ticks after spending time in tick-prone areas is crucial. Prompt removal of ticks within 24 hours can reduce disease transmission risk.

Besides Lyme disease, other significant tickborne diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis. Some can be life-threatening; for instance, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever may cause death within five days of symptom onset.

Residents who experience fever or rash after visiting tick-prone areas should contact healthcare providers immediately.

An interactive Tick Surveillance Map created by IDPH shows confirmed tick species locations in Illinois and their potential diseases.

Health officials remind travelers that Lyme disease prevalence is higher in regions like Wisconsin, Minnesota, parts of Michigan, and across northeastern United States.

Additional tips provided by IDPH include:

- Walk on trail centers; avoid bushy areas with high grass.

- Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.

- Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or similar substances.

- Conduct regular full-body checks for ticks every two to three hours.

- Kill ticks on clothing by using a dryer on high heat.

- Shower within two hours after outdoor activities.

- Seek medical advice if a blacklegged tick was attached for over three days.

For further information on removing ticks or recognizing symptoms, visit IDPH resources online. Clinicians can find additional details about Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever on specified links provided by IDPH.