However by 2012, there were 34 counties with established or suspected tick numbers. An IDPH spokesperson said in 1998 that only eight counties had deer tick populations. The deer population has exploded in the state since the 1970s. One of the most important factors, of course, is the increase in the white-tailed deer population which carries the blacklegged tick. We have not had a string of subzero temperatures in a long while.
Why the increase in ticks recently? O’Hare’s wettest-on-record April 2013 rains certainly contributed to their development: ticks love wet and humid conditions.Ĭonversely, our winters need to be extremely cold to kill off ticks. Up to an early summer date this year, six cases of Lyme disease and one Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever case have been reported, with many cases still being investigated.Īccording to the agency, “Nineteen ticks have been tested two were positive for Lyme disease.” In 2011, only 19 cases of Lyme Disease were discovered in McHenry County. In 2012, there were 39 human cases of Lyme disease in McHenry County and three cases of Erlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. McHenry County Department of Health gives more negative info on tick statistics. The IDPH reported seeing 204 cases of Lyme disease and 151 cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in 2012. Lyme disease, which will be discussed fully in Part 2, is transmitted by the blacklegged tick. Our main concern in Huntley, however, is the abundance of the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer or bear tick. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – carried by the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick – has also been more prevalent in recent years. Lone star ticks, carriers of Ehrlichiosis, have even been making their way north after being only found in the Southeast and South Central part of the U.S. The Illinois Department of Public Health, along with the University of Illinois Extension and the McHenry County Department of Health, are sending warnings to residents to take precautions to avoid the diseases carried by tick bites. Be aware that since last year especially, ticks have enjoyed an enormous growth in number and are waiting to suck your blood and the blood of other members of your family. This is an alert for those who enjoy summer walks in heavily forested areas or whose pets love to romp through thick grassy regions. Having lived in the Kildeer/Long Grove area for 35 years, I am quite aware of that pesky, bloodsucking, disease-transmitting arachnid referred to as a tick.
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