SD Health official warns of tick-borne diseases

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PIERRE (AP) — A South Dakota Health Department official says people heading outdoors should protect themselves from ticks and the diseases they can carry.

State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger says every year some South Dakotans are infected with tick-borne diseases that include tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. He says South Dakota last year had four reported cases of Lyme disease, eight of tularemia and one of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

He says symptoms of those illnesses include sudden onset of fever, a stiff neck, deep muscle pain, fatigue, severe headaches, chills, a rash and swollen lymph nodes.

Kightlinger says people should tuck their pants into their socks and spray clothes and skin with repellant. He says a tick can be removed by using tweezers or a tissue and pulling steadily.

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