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GREAT HAVEN, Mich. (Grand Haven Triangle) The warm weather approach is a welcome sign for Michigan residents, but a disease-carrying species is starting to be active in these tall grasses.
Ticks are a growing problem in Michigan, where Lyme disease transmitted by parasites is also on the rise. Ottawa County has reported nine cases of Lyme disease in 2018 and 13 in 2017, according to the Public Health Department's Communicable Disease Report released Thursday.
At the state level, 342 cases of Lyme disease were reported in 2017, but health officials say that cases may not be reported if ticks are not discovered.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headaches, fatigue and rashes. If it is not treated, the infection spreads to the joints, heart and nervous system. It can be treated in the first weeks after detection with antibiotics.
Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University, said May and June are the most active months for the American tick, but that this species can become active at any time when the weather warms up. Adult blacklegged ticks, or deer ticks, can become active in winter when temperatures exceed 50 degrees.
"Deer deer nymphs are active during the summer months," Russell said. "This is the nymphic stage most likely to transmit Lyme disease."
Both species are on the rise in Michigan, said Russell, and the cause of their spread is unclear. Nothing can be done to limit the growth of the species in the region, he added.
Other species of ticks live in Michigan, including solitary star ticks, groundhogs and brown dogs.
To find out if you are at risk for a tick-borne disease, you can send the tick to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for identification and testing.
You can also request a tick submission kit from the local health department. If the tick is alive, you can put it in a small container with a few pieces of fresh grass or a small paper towel moistened with a drop of water, then fill out an MDHHS form to send it.
Tips for prevention and elimination
Park and recreation officials in the County of Ottawa advise hikers to stay on trails, as ticks are more likely to remain in tall vegetation or leaf litter. Wear slacks, socks and closed shoes in less crowded areas.
Tick checks should be done before getting in the car and again when you get home. For children, check around the hairline and look inside the ears when checking for pets.
Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective against ticks. Authorities also advise you to keep a lint roller in your car to eliminate creeping ticks and to throw hiking clothes into the dryer at high temperature after your hike.
If you find a tick with your mouth buried under the skin, health officials suggest using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the insect as close as possible to the surface of the skin. Pull up with constant and even pressure.
If you twist or shake the tweezers, the parts of the tick's mouth may break and stay under the skin. If you can not remove the remains of the parasite, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
Authorities recommend cleaning the area of the bite with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub or soap.
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