BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Spending time outside regularly is part of a healthy lifestyle, said Dr. Debra Bogen, but it’s also important to pick up an additional habit as residents return indoors: checking for ticks.
“For the health of all Pennsylvanians, children and adults alike, it is important to learn how ticks transmit disease, take steps to prevent tick bites, learn how to remove ticks if found on the body, and seek timely medical treatment when needed to protect against Lyme disease,” said Bogen, the state’s acting secretary of health.
State officials late last month announced the theme for this year’s annual tick-themed art contest, “Protect. Check. Remove.” The competition, open to first through sixth grade students across the commonwealth, aims to prevent Lyme disease through education and engagement in a state with some of the highest annual case counts of the disease in the U.S.
This art contest provides students with a creative way to combine their health and science knowledge with art to help raise awareness as tick season approaches.Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Khalid N. Mumin
“It is of paramount importance for all Pennsylvanians to be aware of the dangerous effects of tick bites and Lyme disease,” said Khalid N. Mumin, secretary of education, in a news release. “This art contest provides students with a creative way to combine their health and science knowledge with art to help raise awareness as tick season approaches.”
Last year’s contest, called “How to Prevent a Tick Bite,” asked participants to create a video or poster connected to the theme. Of the 12 student winners across poster and video categories, none were from the Lehigh Valley.
‘Remove a tick quickly’
Pennsylvania is a hot spot for Lyme disease, consistently returning some of the highest annual case counts in the country.
In 2020, there were more than 3,300 Lyme cases identified in the commonwealth, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The following year, cases statewide dropped to 2,900, ranking lower than only New York and New Jersey.
However, in 2022, the most recent year of data available, cases jumped to 8,413.
The state Department of Health tracks Lyme cases by county. Last year, there were 39 in Lehigh County and 88 in Northampton County.
Researchers point to growing tick populations, rising heat and humidity and improved tracking of tick-related diseases as some of the reasons why case counts have increased, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, according to the CDC. The majority of bites happen between spring and fall.
“In most cases, a tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted,” according to the CDC’s website. “If you remove a tick quickly (within 24 hours), you can greatly reduce your chances of getting Lyme disease.”
Symptoms of Lyme include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash often referred to as a “bull's eye,” according to the center. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system.
Most cases can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics.
‘Young people championing tick prevention’
For this year’s contest, students can submit either a poster or video for consideration before the 5 p.m. March 15 deadline. Finalists will be notified by mail and also invited to an award ceremony in May at the state capitol.
“This annual competition to raise awareness about ticks and Lyme disease is critical in helping Pennsylvanians safely enjoy the outdoors and find new adventures across the commonwealth,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “Thank you to the departments of health, education and environmental protection for prioritizing healthy outdoor habits through this creative initiative.”
Covering exposed skin, wearing light colors and using an EPA-approved insect repellent are all strategies to consider, officials said. Residents can also use permethrin spray on shoes, clothes and gear for added protection.
After spending time outside, residents should check themselves, children and pets for ticks, removing any that are found, according to the release. A shower can also help remove any additional ticks on the body, while throwing clothes in the dryer using high heat can help kill any ticks that might still be stuck to clothes.
“Exploring Pennsylvania's beautiful environment is a huge opportunity available to everyone, but it is important we understand how to protect ourselves against ticks,” said Jessica Shirley, DEP interim acting secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection. “It is encouraging to see young people championing tick prevention, as they can truly make an impact.
“By raising awareness of ticks and tick-borne illnesses, we can help prevent Lyme disease cases, and safeguard our memorable moments outdoors.”
For more information on preventing Lyme disease, visit the state Department of Health’s website.
