Preliminary data is showing that Pennsylvania is on track for its third year of declining incidents of Lyme disease, but an estimated 8,500 cases in 2019 still puts the state among the top five nationwide.

As tick season ramps up to its peak in July, state health officials urge residents to recognize the symptoms of Lyme, as some are similar to those of covid-19.

“Over the past several months, we have seen an increase in the number of emergency department visits related to tick bites,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Some symptoms of Lyme disease, such as fever, chills and headache, are similar to symptoms of covid-19. It is essential that all residents know the proper ways to protect themselves against ticks and are aware of the dangerous diseases they can carry.”

Other tick-bite symptoms can include a red, swollen rash shaped like a bulls-eye, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes.

Some ways to prevent tick bites, or to quickly notice if you’ve been bitten, are:

• Walk in the center of trails and avoid areas with high grass and leaf litter.

• Use a repellent containing at least 20% DEET.

• Take a bath or shower within two hours of coming indoors.

• Wear light-colored clothing in order to see ticks more easily.

• Conduct full-body tick checks on yourself and pets after spending time outdoors.

Lyme symptoms can manifest anywhere from two to 30 days after exposure.

“We want all Pennsylvanians to get outside and be healthy but do so in the safest way possible,” Levine said.