The Alexandria Health Department is raising concerns about the rise of tickborne illnesses as spring progresses.
The health department and Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities are partnering for a tick bite prevention campaign this spring, when tick activity increases as temperatures warm. The city is placing 30 educational signs across parks and trails encouraging residents to do tick checks. There will also be educational sessions about tick prevention and giveaways of tick removal tools at the events and the Alexandria Health Department headquarters (4850 Mark Center Drive).
“Since 2020, Virginia has seen an increase in Lyme disease, and we’re learning more about the threat of Alpha-gal syndrome,” Dr. David Rose, Alexandria Health Department’s director, said in a release. “We don’t want people and pets in Alexandria to get sick, so we’re helping people protect themselves with easy actions like tick checks.”…