Picture KDWPTOPEKA – Whereas ticks and mosquitoes are a pure half of the environment, you will need to know that some could transmit dangerous ailments. The Kansas Division of Well being and Atmosphere (KDHE) tracks diseases brought on by ticks and mosquitoes, and as of Could 29, 2024, has acquired over 200 laboratory reviews of tickborne ailments. Moreover, KDHE has acquired a number of reviews of tick bites and complaints of excessive numbers of ticks, which signifies that tick exercise and density are rising and are occurring earlier within the season this yr.Quite a few tickborne ailments brought on by micro organism are current in Kansas. These embody Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever and different Noticed Fever Group Rickettsioses (SFGR), and Tularemia. Two uncommon tickborne viruses, Heartland virus and Bourbon virus, have additionally been recognized in Kansas in each people and ticks. All of those tickborne ailments are transmitted by the Lone Star tick, probably the most considerable tick in Kansas. Lone Star ticks might be discovered extensively all through no less than the jap two-thirds of the state in quite a lot of habitats and are aggressive human biters. This yr alone, KDHE has investigated a number of tickborne illness instances with extreme well being outcomes, together with hospitalizations as a result of Rocky Mountain Noticed Fever and Tularemia, and a deadly case of Bourbon virus.“Vector-borne ailments, each these which can be transmitted by ticks and people transmitted by mosquitoes are extraordinarily lively this yr,” Dr. Erin Petro, KDHE State Public Well being Veterinarian, mentioned. “I actually encourage folks to take the danger of vector-borne ailments critically and take private protecting measures for themselves and their pets to cut back their likelihood of buying an sickness from a tick or mosquito chew. We’re additionally seeing rising tick-associated circumstances, like Alpha-gal syndrome, which may have lifelong penalties for these affected, which is why chew prevention is so necessary.”Along with elevated tickborne ailments being reported to KDHE, there have been elevated case reviews of West Nile Virus (WNV), which is a reportable illness. Whereas WNV instances happen yearly in Kansas, the regarding pattern this yr is how early it’s being seen. Instances of WNV sometimes begin in late July to early August. Nevertheless, KDHE has already had two instances of WNV reported.These instances function an necessary reminder to take precautions as you benefit from the open air this summer season. Ticks are generally discovered on the fringe of trails, on tall grasses and in wooded, shaded areas. Mosquitoes are sometimes extra widespread at daybreak and nightfall and may breed in small quantities of standing water.To scale back the danger of contracting a vector-borne illness, take the next steps:Use an EPA-registered insect repellent resembling DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 on all uncovered pores and skin. If going tenting or climbing, deal with clothes and equipment with merchandise containing 0.5 p.c permethrin.When doing yardwork, climbing, tenting or recreating in areas the place ticks and mosquitoes could also be discovered, put on lengthy pants tucked into socks or boots, if attainable. Moreover, gentle coloured clothes could make it simpler to identify ticks.Take steps to regulate mosquitoes indoors and open air, resembling emptying standing water, notably in outdated tires, tarps and flowerpots. Empty chicken baths no less than as soon as per week to disrupt the mosquito life cycle.Guarantee pets stay tick free by consulting with a veterinarian about tick prevention merchandise.After spending time open air, bathe and verify for ticks once more (some might be exhausting to identify). The important areas to verify are in and across the hair and ears, below the arms, contained in the stomach button, across the waist, between the legs and the again of the knees.If a tick has bitten you, don’t squeeze it. Take away it with tweezers by greedy the tick as near the pores and skin’s floor as attainable, then pull outward. Get rid of the tick by flushing it down the bathroom. Don’t neglect to verify pets for ticks.Take note of widespread indicators and signs of vector-borne sickness resembling fever/chills, physique aches and/or rash. If any of those signs are current inside a number of weeks of spending time open air in areas which will have ticks or mosquitoes, it’s necessary to speak with a health care provider about being examined for vector-borne diseases.For extra data, go to KDHE’s Tickborne Illness Knowledge Tales to study extra about tickborne ailments, indicators and signs particular to every illness, tick chew prevention and tick distribution. CDC additionally has extra details about vector-borne ailments on their web site.