Tuesday - Apr 30, 2013
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Citizens to be Knowledgeable of Tick Precautions and Tick-borne Diseases
Champaign, IL - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) wants to remind people about safe practices to avoid ticks. As the weather warms up, people and pets come out to enjoy outdoor activities. This time of year is also when ticks become active and start to look for food. Areas with tall grass, leaf litter and wooded places are typically where ticks are found.
Several tick species are present in Champaign County. The most common tick is the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). This tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and tularemia to people and their pets. Another tick is the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick. This is the main tick species that transmits Lyme disease.
Read the full press relase. (PDF)