May 13, 2022
As we head into the summer months, Pennsylvanians should plan ahead and take precautions to avoid tick bites when outdoors.
Pennsylvania is in the top five states for Lyme disease, according to the most recent CDC surveillance data. The state’s 2019 incidence for Lyme disease was 52.8 per 100,000 people, putting the state behind only Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware.
The commonwealth’s climate and outdoor recreation opportunities make tickborne illnesses a significant health concern. Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Environmental Protection warned about the presence of Lyme disease and the ‘rare but dangerous’ Deer Tick Virus that has been spotted at high levels in ticks in parts of Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health notes:
As we head outdoors during the summer months, public health officials are urging everyone to take precautions to avoid tick bites. You can stay safe by:
During National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, HAP and Pennsylvania’s hospital community encourage everyone to take these precautions to prevent tick bites and tickborne diseases.
Additional educational materials for patients and health care providers from the Pennsylvania Department of Health are available online. Materials are available in Spanish.
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