Do I need to worry about Lyme Disease in Hot Springs?
According to local and national disease prevalence maps, this area of South Dakota is not currently infested with the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis or deer tick). These are the ticks that transmit lyme disease. Black-legged ticks congregate more around coastal California, the Great Lakes area, the eastern US, and in the more humid southern states.
Dogs that travel to South Dakota from these areas can be bitten by a deer tick in another state and then be diagnosed with Lyme Disease in South Dakota thus giving the perception that it is found here. However, Brown Dog ticks and American Dog ticks are found throughout South Dakota. These ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia.
Topical or oral applications of flea and tick medications can greatly reduce the chance of your pet getting infested with ticks.
