Caution in Illinois' favorite parks: Two locations made the list due to increased tick risk

Two famous state parks in Illinois were among the American locations whose surrounding areas are associated with an increased risk of tick-borne diseases, according to a ranking published by World Atlas.

Starved Rock State Park took eighth place on the list of 10 parks, while Mississippi Palisades State Park was ranked right behind it, in ninth position.

The World Atlas states that dense forest vegetation, a large number of visitors, and the presence of black-legged ticks contribute to a higher risk in those areas. This species of tick is known for being able to transmit multiple diseases.

Particular attention has been drawn in recent months to alpha-gal syndrome, an allergic reaction that can develop in some people after a tick bite. Chris Stone, a medical entomologist at the University of Illinois, warned that the state is recording a rise in the number of reported cases of this syndrome.

Alpha-gal is a molecule found in mammalian meat, and in people who develop the syndrome, the consumption of red meat or certain animal-derived products can cause hives, itching, stomach problems, and even more serious allergic reactions.

In the US, alpha-gal is most commonly associated with the lone star tick, whose habitat has been expanding in recent years.

According to CDC data, more than 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome were identified from 2010 to 2022. Experts believe the actual number may be significantly higher because not all cases are reported.

The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed the presence of the syndrome in the state, but did not release the total number of cases.

Park visitors are advised to exercise extra caution in wooded and grassy areas, especially during the active tick season.

SOURCE: NBC CHICAGO, PHOTO: PIXABAY