Weekends are the perfect time for cookouts, camping and gardening, but ticks – and the diseases they transmit – frequently tag along for those outdoor activities.
Data from the Ohio Department of Health shows that Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in Ohio. The Buckeye State’s number of reported Lyme disease cases jumped from just 37 in 2010 to 1,785 in 2024.
The actual number of cases could be higher, says Dr. Stephen Feagins, medical director for Hamilton County Public Health.
“Statistics typically don’t reflect unreported or undiagnosed cases or those who are treated quickly based on clinical presentation. But the reality is that Lyme disease is a huge risk in Ohio and here in Hamilton County,” Feagins says. “People with symptoms should get treatment as soon as possible. Preventing Lyme disease in the first place is an important first step.”
Feagins adds that Lyme disease can cause fever, muscle aches, fatigue and a bullseye rash. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a speedy recovery, but if left untreated, Lyme disease may cause arthritis, heart palpitations, facial palsy and other conditions.
Prevent Lyme disease in Hamilton County, Ohio
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans primarily through bites from blacklegged (deer) ticks, which became established in Ohio in 2010 and have continued to spread throughout the state. According to pest-control provider Terminix, Ohio is the No. 10 state in the country for having a high tick population.
“Blacklegged ticks have been increasing their territory for decades now, thanks to weather changes and migration on hosts like white-tailed deer,” says Jeremy Hessel, environmental health director at Hamilton County Public Health. “That tick population explosion is why we’re seeing more cases of Lyme disease here in Hamilton County and Ohio. In a heavily forested and brushy state like Ohio, there’s a higher risk of people being infected.”
Tips for preventing Lyme disease
- Avoid walking through high grasses, brush and leaf litter, where ticks congregate.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks, tucking items into each other to form a barrier to your skin.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents, following label instructions.
- After outdoor activities, use a mirror to examine your whole body, gear and pets, removing ticks immediately.
- Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors, washing off any ticks that may remain.
- If you develop Lyme disease symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Download our tick-prevention fact sheet to learn more about how to avoid tick bites and prevent Lyme disease.
