KANSAS CITY, Mo. — While you're enjoying being outside this summer, remember that mosquitoes and ticks pose a serious threat to your health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bug-borne illnesses are on the rise with cases tripling over the last 13 years.
Zika, West Nile virus and Lyme disease are only some of the potential illnesses. In 2016, there were more than 90,000 cases of mosquito and tick diseases reported. Some new diseases are also being reported.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson is in the infectious disease department at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.
“A lot of new diseases that were able to find a diagnose they’re probably still are other diseases that we still haven’t diagnosed yet," said Hawkinson.
Hawkinson added that Heartland and Bourbon are newly identified viruses from ticks. He explained they make you feel sick.
“Sometimes you can have rash with some of these. Sometimes you can have anorexia which means you just don’t have an appetite. So a lot of the symptoms are general and then what you need to do is get evaluated and get tested," said Hawkinson.
Phillip Howe owns Mosquito Squad, a residential and commercial insect treatment company.
How said he's already getting calls from concerned customers.
Howe explained ticks are creatures of habit.
"What’s nice about this area for a tick is that they are looking for shade and moisture; so with the mulch and the shade this is kind of an ideal situation for a tick, Howe added.
Howe said mosquitoes need water to survive so he advises consumers to get rid of any standing water--in bottle caps, frisbees, even stagnant water in small kiddie pools. If you're going to be outside he also recommends that you'll be less of a target for mosquitoes and ticks if you wear long sleeves and long pants.
