During 2025, 12 members of the UCOR workforce have reported finding ticks embedded in their skin (sometimes several ticks on one individual). This marks a notable increase from the two incidents that were reported in 2024. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the populations of six medically important tick species in Tennessee are increasing.
To reduce the risk of tick bites before going outside:
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Treat clothing, shoes, and gear with products containing permethrin that can remain protective through several
washings.
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Apply Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect
repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA’s helpful search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow product instructions, especially with children.
To reduce risk after being outside:
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Check your clothing and remove ticks you may find. Wash clothes with hot water (cold or warm water may not kill ticks) or tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks. If the clothes are damp, you may need to dry them longer.
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Check your entire body when coming inside. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body.
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Showering within two hours of coming indoors may wash off unattached ticks. It also helps to identify attached ticks and reduces your risk of contracting a tick-borne disease.
If you suspect that a tick bite could be work-related, contact your supervisor and call UCOR Health Services at 865-574-8562 immediately after finding and removing the tick—even after work hours and on weekends. The health care professional who performs your telehealth evaluation will determine if follow-up actions are necessary.