Threat Of Tick-Borne Diseases Serious, Growing In Fairfield, Says Report

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – The threat of tick-borne diseases is getting more serious and increasing, and individuals need to do more to keep themselves and their families safe in Fairfield County, according to reports.

The increase of tick-borne diseases has tripled since 1995.
Photo Credit: *File*

Cassandra Huerta

05/26/2015 7:30 a.m.

Blacklegged ticks are known to harbor bacteria that can cause Lyme disease in humans, and at least one in 30 of these ticks can harbor the deer tick virus, which can be deadly, according to slate.com.

While diseases such as Lyme disease can be treatable, the bacterial infection can be difficult to diagnose and has been known to affect 300,000 Americans a year. But diseases such as the deer tick virus are untreatable and studies show that it has killed at least a third of afflicted residents since 2004, reported slate.com.

Ticks aren’t limited to suburban areas, either, and diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be spread through American dog ticks, reported slate.com.

Tick-borne diseases have increased over the years, doubling since 2003 and tripling since 1995, reported slate.com.

To protect yourself, spray shoes with permethrin product, as well as clothing, to make them tick-repellent, reported slate.com.

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