BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Department of Health wants people to be aware of the health dangers posed by ticks.
A growing number of people are falling ill with diseases spread by ticks, such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Infectious disease epidemiologist Bradley Tompkins says that during the spring, ticks are active and looking to feed on people or their pets.
This time of year, ticks can be as small as a poppy seed.
Health officials are encouraging people to use an EPA-registered insect repellent on their skin. They also say clothes should be treated with the chemical permethrin.
When possible, people should wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and tuck their pants into their socks to decrease exposed skin. People and pets should be checked for ticks daily.
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