According to the Alabama Department of Health there has been a rise in cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in 2012.
The disease is brought on by a type of bacteria carried by ticks and transferred through their bites.
Lawrence County had one of the highest jumps in cases in the Tennessee Valley. This year there have already been nine cases. In 2011 Lawrence County had one case. Madison County has had five cases in 2012.
According to Health experts outdoor tick prevention is the best way to protect yourself from getting the disease.
"The most important thing people can do is, if they are going to be outdoors, to protect themselves from bites by wearing clothing to cover your extremities, and shoes, to cover your feet. That's probably the best way to protect yourself from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever," said Huntsville Hospital E.R. Physician Swati Thotakurn.
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