Doctors urge tick prevention as cases return to pre-pandemic levels
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Experts urge outdoor enthusiasts to gear up with gloves, hats and bug spray as warmer weather marks the start of tick season in Mid-Missouri.
According to the CDC’s Lyme disease tracker, about 27 cases of Lyme disease per 100,000 people were reported in 2023, a record high. This surge marks a clear increase that began in 2022, with rates far surpassing the previous national peak of around 13 cases per 100,000 people in 2017.
While Missouri hasn’t seen record-high case numbers or tick activity like the Northeast and north central regions, CDC data shows Lyme disease rates in the state have returned to pre-pandemic levels with the most active months being between April and September.
The most common ticks in Missouri include amblyomma americanum, or the lone star tick, signified by a white star-shaped mark on its back, and the dermacentor variabilis, also known as the American dog tick. The lone star tick spreds bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis and Missouri is among the states with the highest prevalence of the disease.
MU Health Care infectious disease expert Dr. William Roland said clinics have been seeing increased cases of Alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that causes meat allergies in people bitten by lone star ticks, which are native to the Midwest.
Roland recommends people take preventative measures by staying out of tall brush. For those looking to hike or garden, it’s best to keep skin covered with long pants and sleeves and to use bug spray with permethrin. While some experts recommend using essential oils like citronella candles or eucalyptus, Roland says it’s not effective.
“They’re helpful for about 20 minutes, but they don’t have a long-lasting effect, unfortunately,” Roland said.
After being outside, Roland recommends checking for ticks everywhere on the body. When checking ticks in hair, people should feel around for any bumps.
If a tick is found, people should refrain from pinching the tick at the body when removing it and instead use a tick remover or tweezers at the base of the head to pull it out.
Signs of Lyme disease include headaches, muscle aches, nausea and rashes. People with similar symptoms should check in with their doctor.
For pets, Dr. Chris Baughman, assistant veterinarian of Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital, recommends doing tick checks after walks or when an animal goes outside with a focus on bumps on an animal’s ears, head, armpits and hips. The CDC also recommends checking the animal’s tail and between its toes.
Livestock should also be checked regularly.
There are preventative sprays, creams, tablets and collars for animals, but Baughman recommends owners check in with their local veterinarian to find what works best for their pet. He adds that owners should read the instructions on repellents before use, since some only work on specific animals.
“If they get on the hair, they can potentially get access to you in the house or other family members or other pets,” Baughman said. “So even if you have an indoor-only cat, but your dog’s going outside, just checking each one of them daily, making sure we didn’t get any hitchhikers coming inside.”
Signs of a tick-borne infection in animals include fatigue, loss of appetite and stiffness or soreness that Baughman called “like sudden arthritis.”
To dispose of a tick, experts recommend putting it in a plastic bag with rubbing alcohol, sealing it in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Baughman adds it’s important to avoid crushing the tick to prevent any disease from spreading.