COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), under the guidance of Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, is emphasizing the importance of taking precautions to prevent tick and mosquito bites and the associated diseases they can transmit.

Tick-borne diseases in Ohio are most prevalent between spring and fall when ticks are most active. Lyme disease, the most commonly spread tick-borne illness in the state, has been on the rise in recent years, with 552 cases reported last year and 121 cases reported so far this year.

Mosquitoes, also active during warmer months, can carry diseases as well. Last year, Ohio reported seven cases of West Nile virus, including one fatality, and 13 cases of La Crosse virus. While most individuals infected with these viruses display mild or no symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, severe cases can occur in rare instances.

“While we want Ohioans to enjoy the outdoors during the summer as part of a healthy lifestyle, it is important to be mindful of protection against ticks and mosquitoes,” stated Dr. Vanderhoff. “By taking simple precautions, we can prevent potentially serious diseases.”

ODH monitors the activity of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases, enabling individuals to take appropriate measures to protect themselves and others.

Tips to avoid mosquito bites include:

  • Use EPA-registered repellents according to label instructions when spending time outdoors.
  • Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outside.
  • Consider avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito biting hours, typically from dusk to dawn.
  • Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so applying an EPA-registered repellent on clothes offers additional protection.
  • Eliminate standing water regularly from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and bird baths to reduce the mosquito population near your home.

Tips to protect against ticks include:

  • Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
  • Stay in the center of trails when walking.
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents specifically designed to repel ticks on exposed skin, following the product label instructions.
  • Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and tuck shirts into pants to keep ticks on the outside of clothing.
  • Wearing light-colored clothing facilitates easier identification of ticks.

In the event of a tick attachment, the recommended method of removal is to use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull steadily and evenly away from the skin, then wash the hands and the bite area with soap and water.

If you have been bitten by a tick, be vigilant for symptoms such as fever/chills, aches and pains, or rash. Consult a healthcare provider if any of these symptoms occur.

For further information on ticks, mosquitoes, and the diseases they can transmit, please visit www.odh.ohio.gov/ticks and www.odh.ohio.gov/mosquitoes.