The Centers for Disease Control ticked off poppyseed muffin eaters with an unappetizing image of bugs atop one of their baked favorites while trying to spread awareness of insect-borne infections.
The agency's campaign included a photo posted to social media showing a muffin containing five blood-sucking arachnids hidden among the poppyseeds, USA Today reported.
"Ticks can be the size of a poppy seed. Can you spot all 5 ticks in this photo?" the image on Twitter was captioned.
The post also encouraged Americans to learn how to prevent tick bites.
In the U.S., some ticks carry pathogens that cause human disease, some of which can be fatal, the CDC warned.
Many tick-borne diseases result in mild symptoms treatable at home, but the CDC noted that severe infections may land the patient in hospital.
"Early recognition and treatment of the infection decreases the risk of serious complications," the agency said.
With summer on its way, awareness on the prevention of tick-borne illnesses is certainly relevant. And If the CDC was aiming for a lasting impression, it seemed to have succeeded, although it may have put many off eating poppyseed muffins in the process.
"I will never be able to eat poppyseed again," one Twitter user said in response to the campaign.
"Poppyseeds will never crunch quite the same again," another Twitter user said.
Hundreds of other Twitter users protested the campaign, prompting the CDC to release a witty apology. "Sorry we ticked some of you off!" the CDC posted in a tweet. "Don't let a tick bite ruin your summer. Protect yourself."
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