Lyme disease cases reported by health department

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received reports of cases of Lyme Disease within its three-county jurisdiction.

Health officer Rebecca Burns said the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures experienced in March and early April tend to cause ticks to become more active. Ticks will remain active until fall or when temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees.

A bite from an infected tick can transmit several diseases, including the bacterial infection Lyme disease, the most commonly-reported tick-borne disease.

Burns said the agency is monitoring the jurisdiction’s tick population through its Vector Surveillance program. This information is used to better understand the tick population, tick behavior, and regional trends in diseases carried by ticks.

The best way to prevent tick bites, especially when spending time in wooded or grassy areas, including wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, keeping long hair tied back, and conducting a body check for ticks.