This past winter overstayed its welcome and Michiganders are excited for summer to arrive. But according to officials, with each summer comes a tick season worse than the last.
If you know anything about ticks, you probably know about Lyme Disease.
In 2017, there were more than 300 new cases of the illness reported in the state. And the United States Centers for Disease Control says this number is expected to increase in 2018.
Howard Russell is an Entomologist with Michigan State University. He said Michiganders should be cautious of ticks in new areas.
“Last year we had a case of locally-acquired Lyme Disease down in Washtenaw County and that county wasn’t even considered a high risk idea. So I guess that means that even if you’re outside of the area that’s considered high-risk, there’s still a chance you could acquire Lyme Disease from a tick bite.”
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports the Western region of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas are high-risk Lyme Disease areas. Russell says performing tick checks on yourself and your pets after being outdoors is one of the best ways to prevent the illness.