Photo Provided A photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention illustrates the minute size of the immature black-legged deer tick nymph. There are five nymphs on the muffin amid the poppy seeds

CADIZ — Harrison County recorded the highest number of Lyme disease cases per capita in the entire state from 2010 through 2019, according to health officials.

Garen Rhome, administrator of the Harrison County Health Department, said the county is a “hotspot” for the black-legged deer tick, which carries the bacteria that causes Lyme disease — an infection transmitted to humans and pets through the bite of an infected tick.

The Harrison County Health Department urges residents to be aware of ticks this spring and summer as Lyme disease cases continue to increase year after year.

“We continue to see an increase in Lyme disease cases. 2020 was the worst one yet with the number of cases,” he said.

Rhome said the county saw the highest cases numbers to date last year, when 65 cases were reported. He noted the true number of cases was most likely higher due to unreported cases.

“That’s probably a fraction of the actual cases that are out there because we know the doctor will treat with antibiotics and not necessarily test for the disease or the infection,” he added.

Rhome said the health department typically sees an increase in cases in June, July and August from tick bites that occurred in April and May.

In 2020, nearly half of the county’s cases were reported in July.

“The cases that we see in July are people who are being bitten now — in April and May.

The only known vector for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease is the black-legged deer tick,” he said. “This is a relatively new species of tick in our area. … It is a year-round tick. If it’s above freezing, it’s looking for a blood mule.”

In the spring, the ticks are immature nymphs that are no larger than a speck of dirt and not easily detected. He said the nymphs that are active now are more problematic than the black-legged adults.

“The adult will still bite and potentially transmit the disease, but you know, generally, if a larger appleseed-size tick is on your body — you feel the lump or the irritation, you can find it on your pet more easily,” he said.

Rhome said early detection of symptoms is crucial in being able to treat Lyme disease.

Early signs may include flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fever, chills, fatigue and joint pain, and in some cases a “bullseye” rash. Advanced symptoms include severe headaches and neck stiffness, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, facial palsy, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and problems with short-term memory, he said.

Rhome said he recommends avoiding wooded and brushy areas with high grass and using insect repellents when outdoors. He said you can also treat clothing and gear with products that contain 0.5 percent permethrin, which will deter ticks.

After returning from the outdoors, always make sure to check yourself, children and pets for ticks, he said.