Talk On Ticks

Hobbs State Park -- Conservation Area
Contact: 479-789-5000

Media Release
August 7, 2012


Expert on Ticks to Speak at Hobbs State Park

According to the State Board of Health, Arkansas is seeing a marked increase in reports of tick-related illnesses this year. Last year's case reports totaled more than 650, nearly triple that in 2010. They expect to have even higher numbers this year.
Since its first description in the 1970's, Lyme disease is the most frequently reported vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. In the southern United States Lyme disease is rarely fatal, but causes cardiac, neurological, and joint problems. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most lethal and most frequently reported Rickettsial illness in the United States, and has been diagnosed from Canada throughout the United States, Mexico, Central, and South America. The results of illnesses transmitted by ticks often begin days to weeks after the tick is gone.
According to the Center for Disease Control the following are types of ticks that we can expect to find in Arkansas: American Dog Tick -- Mostly spreads Rickettsia rickettsia, which causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These ticks like to feed on dogs, other medium sized mammals, and humans. American Dog Ticks can also spread Tularemia (rabbit fever) to humans. Blacklegged Tick (deer tick) -- can spread Lyme disease. Feed on birds, small mammals, and humans. Brown Dog Tick -- spreads Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Dogs are the main host. Lone Star tick -- While-tailed deer are the main host, but they also affect humans. Both nymphal and adult Lone Star ticks are associated with the transmission of pathogens to humans. Gulf coast tick -- Deer and small mammals are the primary hosts for these ticks.
Dr. Dayton Steelman will speak at Hobbs State Park regarding these unsafe pests. Steelman will explain what to watch for and why doctors sometimes misdiagnose the symptoms of tick bites. According to Steelman, "Tick bites are nothing to be taken lightly. They can affect a human being for years. Indicators of tick bites can include: flue-like symptoms, fever, numbness, rash, confusion, weakness, muscle pain, abdominal pain, palpitations, paralysis, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting."
Where: Hobbs State Park visitor center on Hwy 12 just east of the Hwy 12/War
Eagle Road intersection.
When: 2:00 p.m. Saturday August 11, 2012
Cost: Free
This timely presentation is a continuation of the Friends of Hobbs Speaker Series. For more information call: 479-789-5000

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