CDC: Tick and mosquito diseases on the rise – WCCO

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Enjoy the outdoors in spring and summer, it is also protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the number of cases involving these pests has more than tripled since 2004.

"We had to watch him, because when we saved him, he had Lyme disease," said Deb Thompson.

Even at a beautiful evening at Lake Como in St. Paul, Roger and Deb Thompson keep a close watch on their dog, Axel. The mixture of 4 year old German Shepherd had Lyme disease when they adopted it.

"We put tick stuff on it for fleas. We use a small bottle that we spray like that, "said Roger, showing how he protects Axel from ticks, while offering him a flea collar and a tick collar.

The CDC wants families to keep an eye on themselves.

Between 2004 and 2016, the number of cases of diseases caused by mosquitoes, ticks and flea bites has more than tripled.

"The ticks themselves have expanded their reach over this period," said Mike McLean.

McLean, who works at the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, said her organization was also concerned by the CDC's findings that nine new germs have been discovered since 2004.

These are not the only alarming statistics. The CDC estimates that about 80% of vector control organizations may not be ready to contract these new germs or cope with the rise in some cases.

"There are things like Ehrlichiosis that was a rare disease that was transmitted by ticks. Now they are becoming more common, "said McLean.

A tick can give you more than one disease. That's why McLean reminds people to put their pants in their socks when they walk in dense vegetation and control themselves afterwards.

"The faster you can get rid of a tick, the less likely it is to transmit you an illness," said McLean.

However, there is good news on the ticks front. McLean said that because of the persistence of winter, it is possible that we see fewer ticks this year.