Maryland Department of Health warns of tick-borne diseases

BALTIMORE— The Maryland Department of Health is urging Marylanders to beware of tick-borne illnesses as warmer spring weather begins to set in.

“Warmer spring weather means an increased risk of tick-borne disease transmission. In an effort to reduce the spread of disease, the Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Campaign will provide Marylanders with weekly advice on what things to do before, during and after outdoor activities to prevent exposure to ticks and recognize symptoms of tick-borne diseases,” MDH said.

According to MDH, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in Maryland, with more than 900 cases reported in 2021. Symptoms include a rash that looks like a bulls-eye, fever, headaches, joint pain and fatigue.

Other diseases include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain disease and other spotted fevers, and tularemia.

The MDH lists the following tips for preventing tick exposure and bites:

• Use EPA-approved insect repellents such as DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535
• Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily
• Wear long pants and long sleeves and tuck your pants into your socks or boots
• Treat clothing and equipment with products containing 0.5% permethrin
• Consider buying permethrin-treated clothing and gear
• Stay on marked trails when hiking and avoid brushy areas and tall grass
• Shower as soon as possible after coming indoors
• Dry your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes once you get home to kill ticks on clothes
• Perform a tick tick on yourself, children, and pets after being outdoors in tick habitat
• Talk to your veterinarian about ways to protect your pets

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