NEW CITY, N.Y. — With warmer weather drawing more people outdoors, the Rockland County Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions against ticks and tick-borne illnesses as activity increases across the Hudson Valley region.
Health officials said ticks are most active during the spring, summer and early fall, and the risk of exposure to infected ticks remains elevated throughout the region.
Among the tick-borne diseases found in New York are Lyme disease — the most commonly reported — as well as ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and the rare but potentially serious Powassan virus.
“Simple preventative actions can greatly reduce your risk. Early detection and treatment of tick-borne illness can make a significant difference,” said Dr. Mary Leahy in a statement.
The department is encouraging residents to avoid wooded and brush-heavy areas where ticks are commonly found and to stay on well-traveled trails when hiking or spending time outdoors. Officials also recommend avoiding tall grass, leaf litter and sitting directly on the ground or stone walls.
Residents are advised to check clothing and exposed skin frequently while outdoors and to perform a full-body tick check after returning indoors. Health officials said special attention should be paid to areas such as under the arms, behind the knees, around the ears and along the hairline. Children and pets should also be checked thoroughly.
The department recommends showering within two hours of coming indoors to help remove unattached ticks and make them easier to spot.
If a tick is found attached to the skin, officials said it should be removed immediately using fine-tipped tweezers by pulling upward steadily without twisting or squeezing. Residents are advised not to use petroleum jelly, heat or other home remedies to remove ticks.
Health officials also recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes when outdoors, along with EPA-approved insect repellents used according to label directions.
The department noted that a common symptom of Lyme disease is a rash often described as a bullseye or target-shaped mark near the site of a tick bite, although the rash can appear in different forms or may not develop at all.
Residents experiencing fever, rash or flu-like symptoms following a tick bite are encouraged to contact a health care provider promptly. Officials said early treatment is highly effective and can help prevent more serious complications.
Additional information about tick prevention and tick-borne illnesses is available through the Rockland County Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
