NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With summer in full swing, Tennesseans are flocking outdoors to explore more than 50 state parks and three national parks across the state. As temperatures rise, health officials warn that protecting yourself from ticks and mosquitoes is more important than ever.
“Staying active and enjoying time with family and friends is part of summertime fun in Tennessee,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dunn, DVM, PhD, EMBA. “Be sure to use insect repellant and take other steps to avoid tick and mosquito bites. Diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and West Nile Virus infection occur every year in Tennessee. Take simple precautions to help reduce the risks of tick and mosquito-borne illnesses.”
Most tick and mosquito bites cause only minor skin irritation, but some can trigger flu-like symptoms or, in rare cases, serious illness or death. Because vaccines or specific treatments don’t exist for many of these diseases, prevention remains essential…