Mendham Health Officials Warn Of Tick-Borne Illnesses

MENDHAM, NJ — Mendham health officials are really ticked off about a certain insect causing problems throughout the state.

Representatives of the Mendham Township Health Department are warning residents regarding an increase in tick bites and tick-related illnesses across the state.

This year has seen a record number of tick-bite related emergency room visits across the state, coming in at over 2,000. Ticks can cause several different types of illnesses, including Lyme’s disease, which affects 14 percent of the global population, according to Project Lyme.

See Related: Tick Bites Sicken More Than 2K In NJ This Year: What To Know

“Due to a number of factors, New Jersey is experiencing an increase in tick-borne diseases,” a Mendham Township Health Dept. statement read. “Ticks tend to live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and also on animals. Enjoying the outdoors may also bring you in close contact with ticks. Prevention is key to keeping ticks at bay and to keeping you healthy.”

Below are some tips and tricks for handling ticks, provided by the Centers for Disease Control:

Steps to Avoid Tick Bites

• "Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
• Avoid contact with ticks. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA's helpful search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second."

What to Do After a Tick Bite

• "If you find a tick attached to your skin, simply remove the tick as soon as possible.
• There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of tweezers works very well.
• If you develop a rash or fever within several days to weeks after removing a tick, see your doctor."