Carson City Health and Human Services has confirmed a case of Lyme disease in the area. The person, who had not traveled outside Northern Nevada in the four weeks prior to symptom onset, may have been exposed during outdoor activities or at work. The exact location of the tick bite remains undetermined.
Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, which must be attached for 24 to 48 hours to spread the illness. Early symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. A distinctive “bull’s-eye rash,” known as erythema migrans, may also appear. Symptoms typically manifest 7 to 10 days after a tick bite.
To reduce the risk of Lyme disease, it is crucial to minimize contact with ticks and their habitats, particularly in areas with dense vegetation. Recommended precautions include wearing long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes, pre-treating clothing with permethrin, applying EPA-registered insect repellent to exposed skin, and checking for ticks on skin and clothing. Showering within two hours of outdoor activity can help remove ticks before they attach. When hiking, it is advised to stay in the center of cleared paths and avoid brush and grass…