Around New England

Rhode Island Officials Extra Concerned About Lyme Disease This Year

April 27, 2020

In Rhode Island, health officials are concerned about the upcoming tick season. 

The state had a relatively mild winter, which means that more ticks likely survived the winter than in a typical year. State health officials say that’s is a cause for concern because more people are expected to be going outside this year, since there are fewer organized activities available to the public because of the coronavirus emergency. 

In 2018, the Ocean State had 1,111 Lyme disease cases, or 105 per 100,000 people, according to the Associated Press. That figure represents the fifth highest number of cases per capita that year in the country.

To avoid the disease, state officials tell The Associated Press, people should avoid bushy areas, put tick repellant on their clothes, wear long sleeves, and wear light colored clothing.