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News Link • Entertainment: Outdoor Recreation

Tick-borne diseases can dampen outdoor enjoyment

•, By Scott Matthews
 Unfortunately, there is one little critter that seems to enjoy the same areas we find so much pleasure in, and its goal in life seems to include making us regret invading their homes. Ticks can carry numerous diseases that they can transfer to humans. Some of the better-known tick-borne diseases are: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis, but there are several others. There is no vaccine to protect you from the vast majority of these diseases. Complications of tick-borne diseases can be life changing or even result in death.

Unfortunately for outdoorsmen and women, the recommended way to avoid contracting tick-borne diseases is to avoid areas where ticks are likely to be found, such as dense woods and grassy or weedy areas. Given that you are going to be spending time in those danger areas, to minimize your risk, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants and socks. Use a DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed skin (but not under clothes).

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