Maryland Prepares for Rise in Lyme

Ticks are at their most active at this time of year, so you need to be aware of them, especially in Maryland. You need to know how to protect yourselves, and what to do if you discover that you’ve been bitten by a tick.  All it takes is one tick bite to change your life. The rise in Lyme disease is serious a serious threat to health and these little critters can be as close as your back yard.

Maryland tops the nation in Lyme disease cases

Here’s some news that bites — Maryland tops all other states in the nation in Lyme disease cases. If that’s not bad enough, experts say you can expect to see a flood of ticks starting soon.

That’s right, the tick population is on the rise, which means the threat of tick-borne disease is also on the incline too. There are actions you can take to keep yourself safe from ticks. Wear suitable clothing if you venture outdoors, wear reputable repellent, avoid areas that are likely to be a tick habitat.  Of course, a tick habitat could actually be surrounding your home, so check out this video with some tips to reduce the chances of these pests making your home, theirs!

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You can also invest in professional tick control where a licensed applicator will come to your home and barrier spray your yard.

Lyme disease is a debilitating illness and is just one of the myriad of tick-borne infections that can be contracted to humans.

Tickborne Diseases of the United States

In the United States, some ticks carry pathogens that can cause human disease, including: Anaplasmosis is transmitted to humans by tick bites primarily from the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S. and the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) along the Pacific coast. Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. Most human cases of babesiosis in the U.S. are caused by Babesia microti. Babesia microti is transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and is found primarily in the northeast and upper midwest…..

It’s not just Maryland that needs to prepare for the rise in Lyme disease cases. The United States as a whole needs to work together in the fight against ticks and tick-borne disease. Play your part, make a contribution, share awareness about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.