Avoiding Tick-borne diseases

Last year over 20,000 people in Connecticut were infected with Lyme disease from tick bites according to State and Federal Public Health officials. Other tick-borne diseases, such as Babesiosis and Powassan encephalitis, are also on the rise in the Northeast. Public Works, Park & Recreation, summer camp counselors and campers, athletic coaches and athletes, and other public school employees who work out-of-doors may be exposed to tick bites and the diseases they carry this summer.
Ways of avoiding tick bites include —

• Stay on trails and paths, and avoid areas with high grasses and weedy underbrush.
• Wear a hat and light-colored clothing (so ticks can be easily spotted), including long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots or socks.
• Use insect repellents. Reapply repellents as needed. (Always follow products labels).
• Use insecticides such as permethrin for greater protection on clothing, but not on skin. One application to pants, socks, and shoes may be effective through several washings.
• Check skin and clothing for ticks daily.
• Wash and dry work clothes using the “hot” settings to kill any ticks present.
• Ticks should be removed immediately by using fine-tipped tweezers.