| April
3, 2010 |
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
 People
working or playing outdoors in the winter/spring months should be on
the alert for ticks that may carry bacteria that cause Lyme
disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Western
black-legged ticks were observed this month in Humboldt, Marin,
Mendocino, Sonoma and Trinity counties, somewhat earlier than what has been
documented for the past 10 years.
Ticks
can be found in tall grass and brush in urban, suburban and
rural settings. Adult ticks climb to the tips of
vegetation, often alongside trails or paths, and wait for a host
to brush against them. They attach to animals and humans
and feed by sticking their mouthparts into the skin and sucking
blood for up to several days. Lyme and other tick-borne
diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis,
ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, are transmitted while the tick is
attached and feeding.
When hiking outdoors:
-
Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Tuck pant legs into boots or socks and tuck shirts into pants.
-
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily seen.
-
Inspect yourself frequently for ticks while in tick habitats.
Once out of tick habitat, thoroughly check your entire body for ticks.
Parents should examine their children, especially on the scalp, hairline and skin folds.
-
Apply a
repellent, such as DEET, registered for use against
ticks. Always follow directions on the container and
be extra careful when applying to children. Permethrin
spray may be used on clothing to kill ticks before entering
tick habitat.
-
Stay in the middle of the trail.
Avoid trail margins, brush and grassy areas.
Individuals
should consult their physician immediately if symptoms similar
to those described for Lyme disease develop within one to
several weeks after being bitten by a tick.
Additional
information on Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases |
