Health department warns about tick dangers as temps warm

The Bartholomew Health Department is warning about the danger of ticks heading into Memorial Day weekend.

According to the department’s Environmental Health Division, ticks become active as the weather warms. Ticks are capable of passing on diseases such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and are responsible for about 75 percent of the transmission of arboviral diseases.

Health officials suggest that if you are heading into areas that might contain ticks that you wear light colored clothes including long pants and long sleeve shirts, which will make it easier to see ticks. You can also tuck your pant legs into your socks to prevent the ticks from crawling up your legs.

You should check yourself thoroughly after you leave an area that might have ticks.

They also suggest using a tick repellent but to carefully read directions.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Bartholomew County Health Department Environmental Health Division at 812-379-1550.