UC Vacationers To Be Aware Of Lyme Disease When Camping Out Of State

Upper Cumberland campers planning vacations outside the southeast need to be vigilant about Lyme Disease.

Smith County UT Ag Extension Director Chris Hicks said deer ticks carrying Lyme Disease are uncommon in Tennessee, but can occasionally be found. Hicks said if you get a tick bite, there are signs to monitor for Lyme Disease.

“Things like fevers, headaches, severe muscle aches,” Hicks said. “The rash is one that pops up too, but any of those achy kind of feelings.”

Hicks said because these symptoms can be common, it is important to seek medical attention if someone has them after a tick bite. However, Hicks said campers and hikers can commonly find deer ticks in the upper mid-west, mid-Atlantic and New England.

He said there are more common diseases in Tennessee, transmitted by lone star ticks.

“HME is a newer disease that’s transmitted by ticks,” Hicks said. “Another is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and they’ve got some of the same symptoms. There’s some rash diseases and of course there’s allergic reactions that can be caused as well.”

Hicks said because tick diseases can still be found in Tennessee and deer ticks can be found, even if they’re uncommon so precaution should be taken. He said the best method is to wear long pants, and apply a repellent that contains deet to mask the human smell from ticks.