Knox County Public Health Commissioner Zach Green informed the Mount Vernon City Council during its July 28 meeting that the county is on track to surpass the number of Lyme disease cases compared to 2024.
"As we have seen over the last four years, our trends in Lyme disease in reference to blacklegged deer ticks continue to climb. Unfortunately, at this point in time, we're on a pace to supersede 2024," Green said, according to a YouTube video of the meeting. "Over the last quarter, so from April through the end of June, we had 92 confirmed cases and the total year to date by the end of June was 101. Last year, 2024, at the end of June, we were at 65 cases."
According to Green in the video, July saw 21 reported cases. He emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms such as muscle aches, headaches, body fatigue—symptoms similar to influenza—and advised that if relief is not found within two weeks, individuals should get tested for Lyme disease. He noted that many people are unaware they have been bitten due to the small size of ticks.
Green mentioned that bright colors can help residents spot ticks on their clothing. Knox County leads Central Ohio in positive confirmed cases. He suggested this might indicate effective case identification efforts by the county.
City Council President Bruce Hawkins questioned why there is a vaccine for dogs against ticks but not one for humans. Green explained that more is known about Lyme disease in canines than humans because it became more prominent among dogs first. The lack of research funding for humans has hindered vaccine development.
Council member Mel Severns remarked that some believe ticks only attach in wooded areas; however, he shared an instance where someone contracted Lyme disease from laying bulk mulch in an urban setting. Green added that tick bites can occur even in city backyards due to deer movement and noted that Knox County recently confirmed its first case of West Nile virus through a trap two weeks ago.
