Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in dog

CHAMPAIGN – A case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever has turned up in a dog in Champaign County, public health officials said.

The dog's owner reported that it had been in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet, according to the Champaign County Forest Preserve District.A disease caused by a bacteria carried by ticks, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever has not turned up in any people in Champaign County, according to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

Symptoms of the disease in people are fever, nausea and muscle pain about one week following the bite, followed by a prominent rash, usually on the arms or ankles.

Public health officials warn you should check yourself and your pet for ticks after being out in tall grass or a wooded area.

If you find a tick, remove it with tweezers and wash and disinfect the bite area. Public health officials also request that you record the date and location of the bite, place the tick in a leak-proof, hard plastic container with rubbing alcohol and bring it to the public health building at 201 W. Kenyon Road, C, for identification.

Source: http://www.news-gazette.com/