Outdoor Safety

Powassan virus disease is a rare but serious illness caused by the bite of an infected tick. Three species of ticks found in Vermont can transmit the virus, but only one of these species – the blacklegged tick – commonly...

Anaplasmosis is a tick bite illness caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. It is spread by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, the same tick that transmits Lyme disease, babesiosis, hard tick relapsing fever, and Powassan virus. It is also...

Babesiosis in Vermont is caused by an infection with a parasite called Babesia microti. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, the same tick that transmits Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

In motor vehicle crashes, people walking, biking and rolling are more vulnerable to injuries and death. These injuries and deaths are preventable. Whether you drive a car, walk, or bike, there are ways we can all be safer when using...

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus and spread by infected mosquitoes. The disease most commonly affects people and horses.

Ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by an infection with Ehrlichia bacteria. The bacteria are transmitted by the bite of a lone star tick, and may also be transmitted through blood transfusions.

Gun violence affects the lives of many Vermonters each year. Firearm-related injuries and deaths are preventable and we can all play a role in creating safer communities.

Hard tick relapsing fever ( formerly known as Borrelia miyamotoi disease) is caused by the bacterium, Borrelia miyamotoi, which was first discovered in Japan in 1995. In the United States, the first human infections were reported in 2013. The first...

Climate Change Affects Your Health Climate change is impacting the health of people living in Vermont now. Some existing health threats will intensify and new health threats will emerge. Climate change also affects social and environmental determinants of health, including...

Heat can cause serious illness. On very hot days, sometimes your body temperature can get dangerously high. This makes you at greater risk for serious heat illnesses.