In observance of Tickborne Disease Awareness Month this May, the Maryland Department of Health has initiated a campaign to educate residents on the prevention of illnesses caused by tick bites. The onset of warmer spring weather typically increases outdoor activities and the risk of encountering ticks.
Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, emphasized the importance of enjoying Maryland’s natural beauty safely. “We want Marylanders to explore the beautiful nature found in our great state, but we want them to safeguard their health and be mindful of ticks and the diseases they spread,” she said.
The campaign focuses on disseminating weekly prevention tips, highlighting what Marylanders can do before, during, and after outdoor activities to reduce tick exposure and identify symptoms of tickborne diseases promptly. Lyme disease, the most prevalent tickborne disease in Maryland, saw over 2,000 reported cases in 2022. It presents symptoms such as rash, fever, headache, joint pain, and fatigue, which, if untreated, can escalate to more severe conditions affecting the joints and nervous system. The health department advises those who develop symptoms to seek medical advice promptly. Most Lyme disease cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Ticks thrive in humid environments and are commonly found in leaf litter, weeds, tall grass, shrubs, and wooded areas. The department recommends several strategies to prevent tick bites:
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved insect repellents like DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
- Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily.
- Opt for long pants and sleeves, and tuck pants into socks or boots.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin or consider purchasing pre-treated items.
- Stick to marked paths while hiking and avoid brushy, overgrown areas.
- Shower immediately after returning indoors and dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks.
- Perform thorough tick checks on yourself, children, and pets after exposure to potential tick habitats.
- Consult a veterinarian about tick prevention for pets.
Besides Lyme disease, ticks in Maryland can transmit other diseases such as babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia. While spring marks the beginning of tick season, residents should remain vigilant through the fall.
For more information on tickborne diseases and prevention methods, or to follow the department’s weekly updates during May, visit health.maryland.gov/tick and the Department’s social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
