Tioga County sees significant increase in tickborne illnesses

TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – The Tioga County Health Department has released a statement regarding an uptick in tickborne illnesses.

According to the health department, Tioga County has seen an increase in tickborne illnesses this summer.

According to the county’s Disease Surveillance reporting, in the first half of 2024, Tioga County has had 29 cases of Anaplasmosis, 4 cases of Babesiosis, and 143 cases of Lyme disease. In 2023, reported cases were significantly lower with 16 cases of Anaplasmosis, 1 case of Babesiosis, and 47 cases of Lyme disease.

Cases are expected to increase from mid-August to November when ticks become more active.

Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are bacterial infections, and Babesiosis is a parasitic disease. All spread through the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms of these illnesses include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. Additionally, Lyme disease infections may also display a bull’s-eye rash. Serious health complications can occur if these illnesses are left untreated. If you experience any of these symptoms it is important to contact a medical professional.

The health department advises community members to take the following steps to protect themselves against ticks:

• Avoid grassy, brushy, or wooded areas with high leaf litter.
  o If you are out in these areas, wear long-sleeved, light-colored clothing especially in highly wooded
  areas, and walk in the center of trails.
• Treat boots, camping gear, and clothing with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
  o Permethrin is an insecticide that kills ticks on contact.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET, registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Examine pets, clothing, and gear for ticks.
• Carefully check your body for ticks and immediately shower after coming indoors.

If you have been bitten by a tick, remove it as soon as possible. Ticks can be removed by using fine-tipped tweezers. To remove, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pulling upward with even, steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk, as this can cause the mouthparts of the tick to break off and remain in the skin. After the tick is removed, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Lastly, dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol or a sealed bag, wrapping it tightly in tape, or by flushing it down the toilet.

Free tick removal kits can be picked up from your local Town of Village Hall in Tioga County. Tick removal kits include tweezers, an alcohol pad, band aid, and information cards on different tickborne illnesses, directions on how to remove a tick, and more.

For more information, visit cdc.gov/ticks .

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