The Minnesota Health Department is warning people to guard against tick bites as new statistics show 2007 was a record year for tick-born diseases in the state.

The department says that in 2007 there were 1,239 cases of Lyme disease, 322 cases of human anaplasmosis and 24 cases of babesiosis.

The numbers all surpassed the records set in 2006.

All three illnesses can lead to serious complications. They are also spread by blacklegged ticks, which are also called deer ticks.

The department says those ticks are most commonly found in east-central, north-central and southeastern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin, so people there should be particularly careful.

The department recommends people who spend time outdoors use insect repellent with DEET and wear long pants and light-colored clothing so the ticks are easier to spot.