Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases are Present During Winter Months  

POMONA, January 23, 2012 — Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) alerted the public  

who work and play outdoors during the winter months of ticks and tick-borne diseases that are active during winter weather, freezing and above. People usually associate ticks with warm weather, but taking a hike or walking your dog can put both you and your four-legged friend in risk of a tick bite.

Ticks are small, with spider like characteristics. The western black-legged tick is the only tick that can transmit Lyme disease. It is reddish-brownish and is found throughout California, commonly along humid coastal areas and the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada. Ticks are most likely to be found in grassy to high-vegetated areas. Adult ticks climb to the tips of the vegetation waiting for a host to come along and brush up against them. They attach their mouth to the skin of animals and humans, sucking their blood for several days. Lyme and other tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Ehrilchiosis, and Babesiosis, are transmitted while the tick is attached and feeding.

If you find a tick that has attached itself to you, remove it with tweezers by grasping it close to the skin, applying a steady upward pressure motion to ensure the entire tick is pulled free from you. After the tick is removed, the individual(s) should wash their hands and apply antiseptic to the affected area. Pets should be checked regularly for ticks.

Symptoms of Lyme disease may include but are not limited to flu-like symptoms, such as fever and body aches which can be accompanied with a spreading rash. Painful redness that occurs less than 24 hours after a tick bite and does not spread is more likely to be a reaction to the tick saliva. Consult with a doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet had been bitten by a tick.

Take these precautions to reduce the chances of being bitten by ticks:
• Wear long pants and long sleeves when out hiking, tuck in your shirts then tuck your pants into your boots or socks.
• Wear light colored clothing so ticks are visible.
• Keep you and your pet in the center of the trail.
• Apply a tick repellent such as DEET.
• Inspect yourself, children, and pets during and after your hike.
• Use appropriate tick control products on your pet. Ask your veterinarian for any recommendations.

Knowing about ticks and tick-borne diseases can keep you and your pet healthy throughout the year.

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