Your Lyme Disease Risk is High in These Eastern Iowa Counties

It is the best time of the year for any Iowan who enjoys being outdoors. Longer days, warmer weather... ticks.

We are quickly approaching the time of year when doctors see the most cases of Lyme's disease, a tick-borne illness, in Iowa.

Experts say June, July, and August are the months you're most likely to get Lyme disease, and it's far more likely to happen here in Eastern Iowa than any other portion of the state.

What is Lyme Disease?

As mentioned above, Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that can cause serious long-term health problems if not treated early.

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Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) warns that the disease can have a variety of manifestations that include dermatologic, rheumatologic, neurologic, and cardiac abnormalities.

Eastern Iowans Are More Likely to Get Lyme Disease

Living in Eastern Iowa in the summer is lovely, right? We have incredible scenery and an abundance of potential to enjoy the outdoors.

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Because of this, we also have an increased Lyme disease risk.

Iowa, Linn, and Johnson county residents and visitors are at the highest risk of getting Lyme disease.

There are several reasons we're more likely to see Lyme disease in Eastern Iowa

• Denser Wooded Areas & Natural Habitats. There are more forests, brushy areas, and shaded trails.
• Higher Populations of Deer & Rodents. Ticks rely on them for feeding and breeding. More hosts mean more ticks. That means more chances to get sick.
• Wetter Climate and Dense Vegetation Ticks. thrive in humid, moist environments. Here in Eastern Iowa, we tend to be wetter than the western part of the state. That kind of microclimate encourages tick survival and activity.

Prevent Tick Bites

While most tick bites are harmless, why risk it? The CDC has simple ways you can keep ticks at bay this summer.

Before you go outside, treat clothing with products that contain 0.5% permethrin. Permetrin is an insecticide. Use insect repellent that contains DEET, or other approved ingredients.

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Once you get back home, check your clothing for ticks. If you had your dog out with you, always check them as well. Shower once you're finished with that.

While showering, check your body to make sure you don't have any tick hitchhikers.

Summer is just about here! Enjoy it, but make sure you're staying safe from ticks as well.

Ticks can be dangerous, but so can mosquitos. Avoid these colors beacuse mosquitos love them!