Cheonan City has issued a warning to its citizens regarding the heightened risk of tick-borne infectious diseases due to a recent increase in outdoor activities as spring arrives.
Tick-borne diseases are classified as Class 3 notifiable infectious diseases and are primarily known to occur in rural areas among individuals aged 50 and older. However, there is a clear upward trend in the incidence rate in urban areas as well, due to the increasing popularity of outdoor activities such as camping and hiking.
Ticks typically inhabit environments with dense vegetation. They attach to hosts, whether human or animal, passing through such areas and transmit infection through blood-feeding. If infected by a tick bite, symptoms such as a fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, severe fatigue, and muscle pain may appear after an incubation period of approximately 5 to 14 days.
In response, Cheonan City emphasizes the importance of citizens' active cooperation in preventing tick-borne diseases and urges adherence to the following preventive measures: First, minimize skin exposure by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants during outdoor activities. Second, it is crucial to use tick repellents appropriately to prevent ticks from approaching. Third, avoid sitting or lying directly on grassy or weedy areas. Fourth, after outdoor activities, clothing worn should be thoroughly shaken and washed, and items such as picnic mats used on grassy areas should be cleaned carefully. Finally, upon returning home after outdoor activities, carefully check for tick bites on the body, and if suspicious symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention.
Lee Hyun-ki, Director of Cheonan City, emphasized, "Since there is currently no effective vaccine for tick-borne diseases, avoiding tick bites is the best preventive measure." He urged, "Citizens are requested to properly use tick repellents during outdoor activities and to strictly adhere to preventive measures, such as refraining from risky behaviors like lying down carelessly on grassy areas."
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