Health Department warns of tick borne disease
TROY. N.Y.(NEWS10) — Alarming numbers are hitting Rensselaer County when it comes to one tick-borne disease.
So far this year the county has had 105 Anaplasmosis cases, compared to just 34 around this time last year. Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection similar to Lyme disease that leads to flu-like symptoms.
To prevent exposure residents are encouraged to take the following measures:
• Wear repellent with DEET on skin or clothing.
• Create tick-safe zones in your yard through:
• Appropriate Landscaping
• Applying Pesticides
• Keeping deer away from property
• Check your body, clothing, and pets for ticks.
• Check under arms, ears, the belly button, backs of knees, between legs, around the waist, and in and around all head and body hair.
• Shower soon after being outdoors
• Check clothes carefully or put into a dryer on high heat.
• Prevent family pets from bringing ticks into the home by using veterinarian-prescribed tick collars or spot-on treatment.
• Remove attached ticks quickly and carefully using fine tipped tweezers.
For more information please call the Rensselaer County Health Department at 270-2655.