Ticks in Summit County test positive for Colorado Tick Fever

Female Rocky Mountain Wood Tick Photo: National Park Service

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah —Ticks collected from the Spring Creek Trail near Park City have tested positive for Colorado Tick Fever, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Disease Response, Evaluation, Analysis, & Monitoring program and Healthcare-Associated Infections program (Utah DREAM and HAI/AR).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Colorado Tick Fever is a rare viral disease spread by the bites of infected Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks. There is no medicine to treat the fever, or vaccines to prevent it. The most common symptoms of CTF are fever, chills, headache, body aches, and feeling tired. Some people may also experience a sore throat, vomiting, abdominal pain, or a skin rash.

Utah DREAM and HAI/AR shared the following tips to prevent tick bites:

• Wear an EPA-registered repellent
• Treat your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear
• Tuck your pants into your socks to keep ticks from crawling up your pant legs
• Check yourself, your children, and your animals for ticks after being outdoors

• Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin
• After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water

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