Rochester residents warned that ticks don’t follow human stay-at-home orders
Written by Site Hub on April 18, 2020
The bi-annual tick season began this month. It usually runs through the middle of May, but longer warmer periods resulting from climate change means that ticks could be around for even longer this year. Although human stay-at-home orders because of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 reduce the likelihood that people might come into contact with these dangerous pests, locals should use extra caution since ticks are an additional health hazard that breeds in large numbers this time of year.
Ticks eat blood and can carry diseases that they can spread from one animal to another, including humans. The World Health Organization insists that ticks can’t spread SARS-CoV-2. Yet, people shouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief. Many ticks carry other dangerous blood-borne microorganisms that can cause serious illness, including the bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii) that cause Lyme Disease. Symptoms from either bacterium can mimic the flu and coronavirus. The main difference is that a tick bite leaves a unique bulls-eye-shaped mark on the skin. If not treated immediately, Lyme Disease can cause long-term muscular problems, hearing loss, chronic fatigue, and weakness.
As explained to RochesterFirst.com by Rochester Regional Health’s Pediatric Medical Director, Dr. Steven A. Schulz, people need to dress appropriately before heading briefly outdoors for approved exercise and sun exposure during the stay-at-home order. They should wear light-colored clothing that covers their skin entirely. They also need to check their clothes and bodies for ticks immediately after returning indoors.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article241520071.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/life_cycle_and_hosts.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
