This summer mosquitoes and ticks are out in full force, according to experts. Those experts are also out in full force working with the public to prevent disease and illness caused by insects.
Jorge Parada is the medical advisor for the National Pest Management Association and the medical director of the Loyola University Medical System Infection Control Program in Chicago, Illinois. He said people should enjoy summer, but always take precautions when it comes to diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes.
“Earlier this year the CDC pointed out that there’s been a three-fold increase in the past dozen years,” he said.
Current conditions are perfect for ticks and mosquitoes, according to Parada.
“The number of mice and deer are up and that’s what the ticks really like to eat,” Parada said. “Their ability to survive the winters is better, the winters are not as harsh. You see an expansion of the range of these ticks and along with it the expansion of the infection.”
Utah does not have many cases of Lyme disease, but Parada said it is spreading from the northeast all the way to the Midwest.
“There’s also Lyme disease in California that’s started to go up the coast towards Oregon and Washington,” he said. “So I don’t know we’re closing in on you on both sides.”
Parada said insect repellent is a simple answer to avoid insect bites, but it does work. Anytime you go hiking he said it’s better to dress in long pants and long sleeves. When you do come back from the outdoors, remember to do a tick check.
“For instance the Lyme infection, the tick has to feed for 24-48 hours before it can transmit the infection,” Parada said. “If you do a tick check after being out and about and find the tick and remove it, the likelihood of catching Lyme is quite low.”
Treatment for Lyme disease is more effective with an early diagnosis, but Parada said there is no treatment for West Nile virus and it just has to run its course.
