By Kat Russell
STAMFORD — Warmer weather definitely has its upsides — sunshine, spring blooms and the urge to get outside and play — but it also brings a higher risk of exposure to tick-, flea- and mosquito-borne diseases.
A recently-released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows number of people getting diseases transmitted by mosquito, tick and flea bites has more than tripled in the United States between 2004 and 2016. Additionally, since 2004, at least nine such diseases have been discovered or newly introduced here.
Though the CDC stopped short of suggesting that people cancel outdoor plans, health officials did emphasize the increasing importance of bug repellent to protect everyone — especially children — from outdoor pests.
Dr. Michael Parry, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Stamford Hospital, said it’s challenging to accurately track Lyme disease cases because not all cases are reported and the tests are not always reliable, but other tick-borne diseases have been on the rise for several years.
Read full article at Stamford Advocate