Several kinds of ticks live in West Virginia. The state Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services tracks four species:
- Blacklegged tick, also called the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)
- Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum)
- American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
- Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
Diseases ticks can spread
The state reports Lyme disease as the most common tickborne disease in West Virginia. The blacklegged tick spreads it. Symptoms usually start 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. Early signs include fever, headache, chills and a rash called erythema migrans. Without early antibiotic treatment, the disease can cause joint pain and swelling, facial palsy and nerve problems.
Other tickborne infections can also cause fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and rash. Many of these diseases can also infect pets. Most infections occur from late spring through early fall, when ticks, people and pets are most active.
How to prevent tick bites
The CDC gave these steps:
- Treat boots, clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin, or buy items that are already treated.
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent. Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol products on children under 3.
- Walk in the center of trails. Stay away from high grass, brush and leaf litter.
- After time outdoors, check your body, your children, your pets and your gear for ticks. Check under the arms, in and around the ears and hair, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs and around the waist.
- Tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks. Shower within two hours of coming indoors.
- Around the home, mow often, clear tall grass and brush, and put a 3-foot strip of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas.
Health care providers in West Virginia report Lyme disease cases to the local health department within one week. See also Lyme disease information and suggestions for mosquito-borne illnesses.