Dill quoted in Sun Journal article on tick-borne disease
Jim Dill, a pest management specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke with the Sun Journal for an article about anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease that is starting to mirror Lyme’s rise in Maine. Anaplasmosis, which is carried by the same tick that transmits Lyme disease, can range from no noticeable effects, to flu-like symptoms, to meningitis, according to the article. Four years ago there were 52 new cases of the disease in Maine, and so far this year there have been 206, the article states. Dill said that despite the sometimes serious side effects, the disease is not often fatal for those with healthy immune systems. Since scientists believe ticks can’t transmit Lyme or anaplasmosis until they have been attached for 24 hours, experts — including Dill — recommend looking for ticks on pets and family members every day. “If you’re in an area where you know there are ticks, every night when you come in, when your kids come in, before you go to bed, do a tick check. That’s probably the No. 1 way to prevent it,” he said, adding he also recommends checking again in the morning when the tick begins to become a size that is easier to see. Dill also recommends getting tested if symptoms appear, whether or not a tick bite was noticed.