CARMEL – Ticks are back in the Hudson Valley, so people and animals should take precautions against Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
Alison Kaufman, epidemiologist with the Putnam Health Department, said, “Adult ticks become active in the spring as soon as the temperatures start to get above freezing. Nymphal ticks start to appear in May and stay active through mid-summer. The nymphs are the culprits that cause most cases of disease because their tiny size makes them harder to find and remove quickly.”
Last year, 466 cases of Lyme disease were reported across Putnam’s six towns, with 54 percent of diagnoses occurring between May and August.
Kaufman added that the seasonality was even more pronounced for anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Seventy-seven percent of the 39 reported cases of anaplasmosis and 79 percent of the 34 reported cases of babesiosis were reported in the same months.
While not every tick carries a disease, those ticks that are infected are known to cause illnesses that can affect one’s health.
Common symptoms associated with Lyme disease are fever, fatigue, headache, and a flat oval or circular rash that spread out over time. The rash may, but not always, have an area of clearing giving it the appearance of a bullseye. Anaplasmosis and babesiosis also cause fever, chills, muscle aches, and headache. In some cases, these two can cause severe or life-threatening illnesses, especially for people who have a weakened immune system or older adults.
Kaufman also reminded the public not to forget about four-legged family members.
Gina Whalen, a groomer who practices in Holmes, reported finding ticks on several of the dogs she has seen in recent days.
“Get a tick collar or treat your pup with a tick repellent since dogs can also become infected with Lyme disease,” she said.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends using repellants that have one of the following ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus, or Para-menthane-diol. Those spending time out of doors can also buy clothes pre-treated or treated at home with permethrin, an odorless insecticide to repel ticks.
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