In the News

REAL ID

Beginning May 3, 2023, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights.
Click here for more information.

“More Than Just a Nuisance For Us…”

Anyone living here in Missouri knows that we deal with something considered a nuisance…Ticks & Mosquitoes.  Unfortunately, the issues with ticks and mosquitoes are much more than just a nuisance.  Both ticks and mosquitoes can carry life-threating illnesses/diseases.  We’ve heard the comments, “I’ve lived here all my life and have never gotten sick.”  While that may be true, each year thousands of individuals are becoming very sick with diseases such as:  Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, West Nile Virus, Zika, a unique illness called ‘Alpha-Gal Syndrome’, and many others.  With all of the moisture we have had this winter, this years’ tick and mosquito season could be a very difficult one.  It is also important to understand that tick and mosquito illnesses/diseases are not just found in the warmer months of spring and summer, so stay alert all year long.

Diagnosing tick and mosquito illnesses/diseases can be difficult for your healthcare provider.  Often these conditions will show as “flu-like” symptoms, or may show very limited symptoms.  It is helpful for your healthcare provider when you can give dates and information about tick or mosquito bites that you have had.

Following a few simple steps can help to protect us from tick and mosquito bites.

• Limit your time outdoors during heavy mosquito activity – dawn (early morning) and dusk (early evening) and evening hours.
• Keep the grass around your home or business cut short.
• Eliminate standing (stale) water around your home or business.
• When outdoors, use insect repellent, always following the manufacturers direction for use.  Remember, some repellent is safe for skin; others should only be used on clothing.
• Wear light-colored clothing, with long sleeves and long pants.  Watch for ticks crawling on your clothing.
• When coming in from outdoor activity, do a self-check for ticks, and remove carefully and quickly.  Always make sure to remove the head of the tick completely.

Do not let the scare of ticks and mosquitoes keep you from enjoying our outdoor beauty…but do not let your guard down. Stay informed and stay diligent in protecting yourself.