"Protect Yourself: Tips to Avoid Tick and Mosquito-Borne Diseases"

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched the 'Fight the Bite' campaign to reduce the risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. The state reported nearly 700 cases of such illnesses last year, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and La Crosse Encephalitis. The DHHS recommends using EPA-approved repellents, checking for ticks after being in tick habitats, and eliminating standing water to reduce the chance of mosquitoes breeding.