Maine CDC Urges Tick Bite Prevention for Fall 2024

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging residents to take extra precautions to prevent tick bites this fall. As tick activity increases, cases of several tickborne diseases are on the rise.

Increased Tick Activity and Cases

Ticks remain active throughout the fall season, from late September through November. This makes it especially important to practice prevention methods when spending time outdoors, as some tickborne diseases continue to climb in number. According to data from the Maine CDC, cases of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and hard tick relapsing fever have seen an increase in 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Current Tickborne Disease Case Counts

As of October 14, 2024, the Maine CDC has recorded the following cases:

• 2,544 cases of Lyme disease
• 888 cases of anaplasmosis
• 265 cases of babesiosis
• 19 cases of hard tick relapsing fever
• 4 cases of Powassan encephalitis

For up-to-date case counts and additional information, visit the Maine Tracking Network Dashboard.

Symptoms and Prevention

Symptoms of Tickborne Diseases

The most common symptoms of tickborne diseases include body aches, chills, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. People with Lyme disease may also notice a bull’s-eye rash.

If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly after spending time in areas where ticks are likely to be present, talk to a healthcare provider and mention any recent tick exposure.

Prevention Steps

To minimize your risk of tick bites and subsequent tickborne diseases, follow these prevention tips:

1. Take and Use Insect Repellent: Use EPA-approved repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin. Permethrin should only be used on clothing.

2. Inspect Your Body: Daily check your entire body and the bodies of family members and pets for ticks. Pay special attention to areas where ticks are commonly found such as the groin, armpits, and behind the knees.

3. Cover Your Skin: Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants. Tuck pants into socks to avoid ticks reaching your skin.

4. Know When to Protect: Be aware of tick habitat and take precautions when venturing into areas where ticks might reside, such as wooded, leafy, and shrubby areas.

5. Shower After: Soon after you get home, shower to help remove crawling ticks. Dry your clothes on high heat for 15 minutes to kill any remaining ticks.

Identification and Testing Services

For those concerned about a tick bite, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab offers free tick identification and tick testing. For a $20 fee, they also offer testing but note that the results are for surveillance purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis. Knowing you have identified a tick bite does not necessarily mean you have been infected.

For more information, visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab’s website.

Stay Informed and Protect Yourself

Ticks pose a significant health risk, but by taking proactive measures, you can reduce your chances of encountering tickborne diseases.

Last Call to Action

Take one step today towards tick protection. Visit the Maine CDC website to learn more about tick-borne diseases and prevention tips. Stay informed and stay safe!