By Cynthia Grau

PONTIAC – While mosquitoes get much of our attention in the summer, local health officials suggest also watching for ticks.

Donnie Simmons, the environmental health director at the Livingston County Public Health Department, said the local tick population has increased in recent years.

“Just to give you a little bit of an idea, back in 2000 in the State of Illinois, we had 40 cases of tick borne illnesses. Last year, we had 350 cases. So we’ve gone from 40 to 350 in just 16 years,” Simmons explained. “So, this year, we’re expecting that number to be even greater and the number of ticks is increasing for whatever reason. But, just so people know, we have the ability to identify ticks, so if someone finds a tick on themselves after being out in the woods hiking or around your yard, bring it in and we’ll try to have it identified.”

Ticks known to be in the area include the Lone Star tick, dog tick and brown dog tick. The deer tick, known for transmitting Lyme disease, hasn’t made it to this part of Illinois, but Simmons said they may be here in the future.

For more information, call the Livingston County Health Department at 815-844-7174.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected].