Avoid ticks to avoid diseases they spread

As Wyoming’s warmer days approach, avoiding ticks when spending time outdoors can also mean escaping some potentially serious diseases, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).

Diseases sometimes passed on by infected ticks in Wyoming include tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and Colorado tick fever (CTF). Lyme and Powassan diseases can be a concern during travel to other states, but are not known to be spread by Wyoming ticks.

“When we walk through, play or sit in brushy and grassy areas or handle certain animals we can be exposed to ticks,” said Dr. Alexia H...