As the weather warms up and summer adventures begin, do not forget to protect yourself — not just from the sun but from ticks, too. Carson City Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, has started its first-ever tick surveillance program to help protect our community from tick-borne diseases.
What is the risk?
In Nevada, ticks can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, Relapsing Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Colorado Tick Fever. These illnesses can be dangerous and may go unnoticed for years. Common symptoms include:
• Fever or chills
• Muscle aches and pain
• Trouble breathing
• Burning or rash around a bite mark
If you think you have been bitten and notice any of these symptoms, contact a doctor right away. A tick bite may look like a small pinprick, a mosquito bite, or a red ring around the bite.
What to do if you find a tick
If you see a tick crawling on your skin, remove it quickly. If it is already attached, you can use a tick removal tool, but it is best to talk to your doctor first. For more info, visit the CDCs guide: What to Do After a Tick Bite.
How to stay safe outdoors
• Check for ticks after outdoor activities (do not forget to check pets and kids!)
• Look under arms, behind knees, inside ears, in belly buttons, and through hair
• Stay on clear walking paths and avoid brushing against bushes
• Wear long socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts
• Use bug spray with DEET
• Do not touch or pet wild animals
• Pay attention to tick warning signs in outdoor areas
How you can help
CCHHS is asking residents to help track ticks in our area. If you find a tick:
• Place it in a Ziploc bag, seal it, then place that bag inside a second sealed Ziploc bag
• Do not smash, freeze, or drown the tick
• Label the bag with the date, time, and location where the tick was found
• Or, fill out a tick form at the CCHHS main office
Testing is currently free for all Nevada residents, and all information is kept private. By participating, you help health officials better understand and respond to tick-related risks in the community.
For information about services and programs available to you through Carson City Health and Human Services, visit gethealthycarsoncity.org, or call 775-887-2190. You can visit the CCHHS office at 900 E. Long St., in Carson City or follow CCHHS on Facebook at facebook.com/cchhs, or Instagram at GetHealthyCarsonCity.