{"id":476,"date":"2016-05-09T16:19:17","date_gmt":"2011-05-09T16:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.edrugstore.md\/blog\/?p=476"},"modified":"2011-05-09T16:20:04","modified_gmt":"2011-05-09T16:20:04","slug":"tick-warning-l0509","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/current-health-news\/tick-warning-l0509\/","title":{"rendered":"A uptick in tick-borne illnesses"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It’s the time of year when families are planning picinics and camping trips.\u00a0 As\u00a0temperatures rise many people get out and enjoy the outdoors, but health officials are warning people about an increase in tick-borne illnesses.<\/p>\n

Many people associate Lyme disease with ticks, but few people have heard of anaplasmosis.\u00a0 According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,\u00a0symptoms of\u00a0this little-known\u00a0illness include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.\u00a0 Usually, these symptoms occur within 1-2 weeks of a tick bite.\u00a0 Medical tests can confirm the condition, and can be treated with medication.\u00a0 Still, health officials say it’s\u00a0a problem that can be prevented if proper precautions are taken.<\/p>\n

In some states, like Minnesota, the number of tick-borne diseases jumped to record levels in 2010.\u00a0 More than 700 people in the state were diagnosed with anaplasmosis, which is double the amount of cases in previous years.<\/p>\n

“We’re seeing a continuing and troubling trend of marked increases in cases of tick-borne diseases in Minnesota,” said Dave Neitzel, Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist specializing in tick-borne diseases. “We are particularly concerned about anaplasmosis, with case numbers now rivaling Lyme disease in some areas of the state.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

About 30 percent of the 2010 anaplasmosis patients were hospitalized, and one patient died.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>To prevent illness from ticks:<\/strong>
\nThe risk of tick-borne diseases is greatest from late spring through mid-summer, when ticks are most active. The best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid tick habitat during those seasons:<\/p>\n