Livingston and Washtenaw counties have become known risks for Lyme disease, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Both counties are now "in the red" on the 2018 Michigan Lyme Disease Risk Map. MDDHS says that there are at least two confirmed local exposures in both counties and/or ticks/animals infected with Lyme bacteria.
Lyme disease is transmitted by the blacklegged tick and is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States. Health officials say it is spreading across the state of Michigan.
Typically, clinical signs include flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, the disease may spread to the joints, heart and/or the nervous system. The majority of cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
MDDHS says the most effective way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick attachment, performing frequent tick checks throughout the day.
Ticks are typically found in wooded and brushy areas, so stay in the center of hiking trails.
Oakland, Wayne, Monroe and Genesee counties are considered counties with potential risk for Lyme disease.
They are considered so due to being adjacent to a confirmed county, or having blacklegged ticks that are not infected with the bacteria.
