Because the various species of ticks can be difficult to identify, local residents are encouraged to bring ticks they find on them to the Ottawa County Health Department for identification. (Submitted photo)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – It’s summer, and that means it’s time for hikes in the woods, picnics at the park, walks on the beach, and an ever-vigilant search for ticks. Warm weather brings ticks and ticks bring all sorts of potential health concerns, so Ottawa County Health Commissioner Jerry Bingham wants local residents to have fun and be tick smart.

“We don’t want people to be afraid, but we want them to be tick smart,” he said. “This is a bad year for ticks. Every year, they substantially increase.”

Bingham is concerned about two tick species that could make their way to northern Ohio: Asian Longhorned Ticks and Gulf Coast Ticks. Asian Longhorned Ticks are currently found in the Ohio River Valley and could eventually move north. They are known to attach to farm animals, causing illness and sometimes death. Gulf Coast Ticks feed on humans and animals and transmit pathogens that can cause medical problems.

The tick currently causing the highest concern is the Lone Star Tick, whose bite can cause Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), making the victim allergic to red meat and other products made from mammals, including dairy products, gelatins and medications. The illness is caused by an allergic reaction to a molecule found in most mammals, but not in humans, called galactose-a-1,3-galactose.

“About 78% of health professionals are unaware of it. It’s so unknown that they don’t know how to diagnosis it,” Bingham said. “About 450,000 people are estimated to have Alpha-gal syndrome. It’s the tenth most common cause of food allergies.”

The Lone Star Tick is not currently in Ottawa County.

Ottawa County Commissioner Jerry Bingham encourages locals to have fun outdoors but be diligent about tick bite prevention. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“It’s common in southern Ohio and working its way up,” Bingham said.

Other ticks of concern include Blacklegged Ticks which cause Lyme Disease, with symptoms ranging from fever and headache to joint stiffness and muscle pain. Lyme Disease often causes a bullseye rash. Left untreated, Lyme Disease can lead to serious health problems, including immune system issues that affect the heart.

An American Dog Tick bite can cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which can be fatal if left untreated.

One case of Lyme Disease was diagnosed in Ottawa County this year, and no cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have been reported, but Bingham said that keeping records of tick-borne illnesses can be tricky for the health department.

“Ottawa County is a transient county, creating a challenge for us,” he said. “If someone on vacation gets sick from a tick bite, we may not know about it.”

There are easy steps to take to help prevent tick bites.

“Wear tick repellent and permethrin-treated clothing. Wear light clothing so you can see the ticks,” Bingham said. “Wear your socks outside your pants, and you can even wrap them in tape, sticky-side out, to catch the ticks.”

Anyone who has been outside in grassy areas should check for ticks when they come indoors. If they find a tick that has attached itself to the skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with even pressure and avoid twisting or jerking the tick. Clean the bite area and hands well.

Ticks can be brought to the Ottawa County Health Department for identification.

“We will send it to a lab. They don’t test the tick for disease, but they identify it so you know what disease is associated with it,” Bingham said.

The Ottawa County Health Department is located at 1856 E Perry St. in Port Clinton and can be reached at 419-734-6800.