Outdoor activities can bring you into contact with a variety of harmful insects and diseases this summer.

Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are two diseases transmitted by tick bites. Washington County Public Health nurse Lynn Fisher describes common symptoms of Lyme disease, “Usually a person starts with a rash but not always, sometimes fever, but the rash will start as a red bump. And then it will start to expand out like a bullseye sort of like the Target logo, that’s what I think about it looks like the Target logo, and that’s a pretty telltale sign of Lyme disease and also joint pain and joint pain that can move.”

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever carries flu-like symptoms and rashes, but doesn’t necessarily require acute care. According to Fisher so far six cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have been reported in Iowa, and as of June 21st, 71 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Iowa with one case in Washington County. To avoid ticks Fisher recommends people wear insect repellent and to always walk in the center of trails. Once you get home, check yourself and pets for ticks, especially in skin folds.