Price, T.S. Hazards of the Outdoors. Georgia Forestry Commission. Macon, GA. January 2006. 24 p.
Ticks are important vectors of organisms causing disease in humans. Some common southeastern species are lone star tick (Figure 30), American dog tick (Figure 31), brown dog tick, and blacklegged tick. Among the diseases that are transmitted by ticks, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), Lyme disease (LD), and ehrlichiosis are the most noted. Symptoms of RMSF include fever, headache and rash. The rash usually develops a few days after infection, around the wrist, ankles and on the back. Initial symptoms feign those of the common flu and many victims often delay going to a physician. A bacteria-like organism called a rickettsia causes RMSF. Not all ticks are infected with the organism but it only takes one infected tick bite to contract it.
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Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete and is characterized by a distinctive skin lesion in about 65% of the cases. The skin lesion is called erythema migrans (EM) and appears from 3 days to 1 month after the bite (Figure 32). Victims usually suffer with headaches, fever, arthritic-like pain, and a stiff neck. Several tick species in the South can transmit RMSF and LD, but the blacklegged tick is most often associated with LD (Figure 33).
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A group of biology students from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia have been screening lone star ticks captured from 6 middle Georgia counties for the presence of the causative agents of Lyme Disease and human ehrlichiosis. So far, 17% of the lone star tick population has been infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease and 3% with the causative agent of ehrlichiosis.
Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) are transmitted by ticks. Both types cause fever, headache, chills, sweating, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting. Antibiotic therapy is effective if started early in the course of infection. The lone star tick is suspected of being the primary vector in the southeastern U.S.
Foresters and others who must work in tick infested areas should practice the following preventative measures to reduce their exposure to ticks: (1) wear light colored clothing so that ticks can be seen crawling, (2) keep clothes buttoned, tuck legs of pants in top of socks to prevent ticks from crawling underneath where they can’t be seen, (3) use a repellent containing permethrin to spray on boots and outer clothing; repellents containing DEET can be applied to exposed skin areas (do not apply permethrin to the skin), (4) inspect the outer clothing several times a day for ticks, (5) once home remove clothing immediately and place directly into washer, (6) if working out of town and staying in a hotel remove clothes and seal in a plastic bag, (7) children who have been playing in tick infested areas or with pets should be inspected thoroughly all over for ticks (including hair and groin areas).
Immature ticks are called larvae or “seed ticks” and have only six legs while adults have eight. Both stages are capable of transmitting disease organisms.
Ticks should be removed with tweezers or forceps. If parts of the mouth are left in the skin, local irritation can persist for weeks. The mouth is anchored in with barbs and cemented saliva. It is not an easy job to remove an imbedded tick. Unattached ticks can be lifted with adhesive tape. If a tick(s) is found on your body or a family member’s and you feel it has been attached for six or more hours, you need to be wary if any flu-like symptoms or rashes appear over the next few days. If so, call your physician and get an examination. Ticks are more likely to vector a disease organism after being attached for six or more hours (some experts argue 24 hours, but don’t take a chance). So quick detection and removal is very wise. Children often lose their appetites and are irritable if infected, so be a nosy parent and ask questions and always think tick in the active season.
A vaccine has been developed against Lyme disease. LYMErix is a noninfectious vaccine that has been developed by SmithKline Beecham. Persons who habitually encounter ticks should discuss LYMErix withtheir physician.
