9/3/23

The Virginia Department of Health says that even though summer is winding down, several illnesses related to tick bites are still on the rise across the commonwealth.

According to state health officials, typical tick-related diseases like Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have been joined by Tularemia (TOO-luh-REEM-ee-uh) – a rare condition that can cause fever, ulcers and difficulty breathing.

With the fall hunting season approaching, V-D-H senior epidemiologist Katrina Saphrey has some advice for anyone planning to hit the woods.

Officials say that anyone bitten by a tick should remove it as quickly and as safely as possible.