DHSS Press Release |
Date: June 30, 2008 DHSS-62-2008 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST MOSQUITO AND TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES
Prevention is Key!
Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) reminds Delawareans to take simple precautions to reduce the chance of getting serious tick-borne or mosquito-borne illnesses. Ticks are commonly found in moist shade in wooded, brushy or overgrown grassy areas, and are active all year. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, erhlichiosis and tularemia.
You do not need to be an avid outdoors person to have contact with infected ticks or mosquitos. Individuals may become infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease when they are bitten by a tick.
To prevent infection, remove the tick promptly, since the risk increases 24-72 hours after the tick attaches to the skin. Remove the tick by grasping it with fine-tipped tweezers and gently but firmly pulling it straight out. The use of petroleum jelly or a hot match to kill and remove a tick is not effective. After removal, cleanse the site with antiseptic or soap and water, and wash your hands.
Lyme disease: In 2007, Delaware reported 715 cases statewide. Symptoms can include a "bull's-eye" rash (in nearly half of cases), fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches. Occasionally, chronic joint, heart and neurological problems occur.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Seventeen confirmed or probable cases were reported across the state in 2007. Symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle pains and appetite loss, followed by rash, abdominal pain, joint pain and diarrhea. Many patients require hospitalization. Typically 3-5 percent of cases are fatal.
Ehrlichiosis: With 14 reported cases in 2007, symptoms can include fever, headache, malaise, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, joint pain, confusion and occasionally rash.
Tularemia: From 2004 -2007, four confirmed cases of tularemia were reported in Delaware. This illness is carried by rabbits, hares and rodents. Humans are infected from tick bites, by handling infected animal carcasses, and by eating or drinking contaminated food or water or infected fluids that become airborne. In Delaware, the American dog tick and lone star tick transmit tularemia. Symptoms include sudden fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough, weakness and pneumonia. Other symptoms depend on how a person was exposed to the tularemia bacteria, and can include skin ulcers, swollen lymph glands and sore throat. The disease can be fatal if untreated.
Early diagnosis and intervention are keys to appropriate treatment and improved health outcomes. People who have been bitten by a tick should contact a physician if symptoms develop. Tick-borne diseases may be treated with antibiotics.
Mosquito-borne illnesses include:
West Nile virus: In 2007, one case was reported statewide. Nearly 80 percent of human infections cause no symptoms. Nearly 20 percent of those infected develop a mild illness which includes fever, body and muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting and rash. A very small percentage of patients, usually the elderly, develop severe neurological disease that results in meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE): Because of its high death rate, EEE is one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. Delaware has not had a confirmed case of EEE since 1979. Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to encephalitis, coma and death.
Prevention is key in protecting yourself from tick or mosquito-borne illnesses. DPH recommends the following protective measures to avoid tick bites:
- Wear light colored long sleeves and long pants to clearly see ticks. Tuck pants into socks.
- Spray footwear and clothing with tick repellant containing permethrin. Repellents containing DEET can also be applied to the skin. Reapply every few hours. Use 50 percent DEET for adults and 30 percent on children. Do not use repellents with DEET on infants less than 2 months old.
- Search your body for ticks after being outdoors. Check children's hair and clothing for ticks. Pets may also carry ticks.
Follow these procedures for mosquito prevention:
- Limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes are active - such as at dusk.
- Wear protective clothing such as shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and pants.
- Use mosquito netting to protect the face and neck or cover infant carriages, strollers and playpens.
- Keep windows and doorways tightly sealed and maintain window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
- Remove standing water to prevent mosquito breeding: Regularly drain plastic covers, tarps, pool covers and garbage can lids. Store water-trapping containers such as wading pools, wheelbarrows and buckets upside down or inside shelters. Change water in birdbaths, pet dishes and potted plant saucers.
- Regularly clean and repair gutters, drains, ditches and culverts to prevent them from retaining water.
- Manage weeds. Adult mosquitoes are attracted to dense, tall vegetation around water.
- Shape pond edges to a shelf or steep slope. Mosquitoes prefer shallow water. Introduce mosquito-eating fish.
- Electronic bug zappers and repellents that emit high frequency sounds and do not repel mosquitoes.
Apply repellents as above.
For more information regarding tick prevention visit: www.cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/
Further information regarding mosquito prevention can be found at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/prevention.htm
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
