Wyoming Sees Increase Of Colorado Tick Fever Cases

Colorado tick fever cases are on the rise in Wyoming, the state Department of Health alerted residents this week.

Five cases of Colorado tick fever have been identified in Wyoming so far this year, four in Sublette County and one in Park County. The WDH usually sees an average of two cases annually, sometimes going a year without seeing any cases.

Courtney Tillman, an infectious disease epidemiologist with WDH, said Colorado tick fever spreads to people through bites of infected Rocky Mountain wood ticks.

The best way to prevent Colorado tick fever is to avoid tick bites. Recommended actions include:

• Use insect repellent, such as DEET, when outdoors
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors
• Treat outdoor clothing, such as hiking clothing, with permethrin
• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass
• Do tick checks after spending time outdoors
• Apply pesticides outdoors to reduce ticks in yards
• Clear brush, tall grass, and leaf litter from yards to reduce the number of ticks
• Prevent tick bites for pets by using prevention products recommended by veterinarians and performing tick checks after spending time outdoors

Read more: https://cowboystatedaily.com/2020/07/17/wyoming-sees-increase-of-colorado-tick-fever-cases/