Teaneck's Information On Tick-Borne Diseases During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Press release from the Township of Teaneck:

June 29, 2020

Tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern and are some of the most commonly reported communicable diseases in New Jersey. May, June and July are the peak months for tick-borne diseases with the most common disease being Lyme disease.

Medical care for tick-borne illness should not be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays in medical care may lead to more severe infections.

Ticks don’t social distance – take steps to prevent tick bites!

Here is a list of some symptoms of tick-borne diseases:

• Skin rash
• Malaise or feeling tired
• Fever and/or chills
• Dizziness
• Muscle aches
• Stiff neck
• Headache
• Joint pain

How can tick-borne diseases be prevented?

• Take extra precaution in summer months when tick diseases are more active
• Avoid wooded areas with thick, dense shrubs, high grass and lots of leaves
• If you hike, stay in center of trail and not in the brush
• Wear long, solid and light colored clothing with pants tucked into socks when outdoors
• When outdoors, apply EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing
• Keep yard and lawn trimmed/mowed to make less attractive to ticks
• Keep grounds under bird feeders clean
• Keep patios, decks and playground equipment away from trees and yard edges
• Check your pets while outdoors/indoors

Other helpful tips on controlling the spread of tick-borne diseases include the following:

• Remove ticks from clothing before entering the house
• Showering can help find/wash off unattached ticks
• Wash clothing with hot water and use high heat to dry the garments
• Perform daily tick checks after being outdoors especially armpits, scalp, and groin areas

If you find a tick on or in your skin, make sure to do the following:

• Use fine tipped tweezers to remove the tick
• Grab the tick close to the skin with the tweezers and pull straight out (do not twist tick)
• After completely removing the tick, clean your skin with soap and warm water
• Contact your healthcare provider if you develop or exhibit any symptoms (due to COVID-19, your healthcare provider may provide care by telephone, telemedicine, or in-person consult)
• Do NOT use petroleum jelly, hot matches, nail polish remover or other products to remove ticks

For more information on tick-borne diseases, please go to the following websites:

https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/vectorborne.shtml

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/
http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_pets.html

This press release was produced by the Township of Teaneck. The views expressed here are the author’s own.