For the past decade or so, the health department has seen a slight increase in reported tick-borne diseases. According to Brenden Rivenbark, District Director of Three Rivers Health District, this aligns with a statewide increase in tick populations, due to Virginia’s mild climate and environment. “It should also be stated that the general public is much more aware of the risks associated with tick exposure than they have been in the past, so they are much more likely to contact their provider after getting bitten than they have been historically,” he added. According to Rivenbark, the most common ticks found in Gloucester and Mathews counties are the Deer Tick, Lone Star Tick, American Dog Tick and the Gulf Coast Tick. These four species can spread diseases like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis, bacterial infections, and Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergic condition. “Ticks live and thrive in shady, moist, humid areas,” said Rivenbark. They can be found in tall ...