The scary thing about vector-borne diseases is that it only takes one bite - and by the wrong mosquito. This author was bitten while living on the water in CT prior to her first year at the Duke University School of Nursing. Having no recollection of the time being in a coma, she only remembers it began as a severe headache and having others think it was “just the flu.“ And people are not only the only ones affected.

Trying Not to Get Ticked Off!

Mosquitoes were the topic last week. The  other problem insects are ticks, and unfortunately, according to some estimates, there are more than 200 tick species in the U.S.

Ticks environment of choice seems to be beach grass, forests, lawns and even many urban areas. According to the CDC, whenever possible, it is recommended that areas that are likely to be infected with ticks be avoided. This includes following kinds of areas: ticks prefer a moist, shaded environment - especially areas with leaf debris and low-lying vegetation in wooded, brushy or overgrown or grassy habitats. 

Lyme disease most often presents with what is called a “bull’s eye” rash, and symptoms including fever, malaise (a general tiredness / exhaustion), fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and aches in the joints. According to the CDC, the incubation period can range from 3-30 days but usually the “bull’s-eye”rash occurs in 7-14 days along with the accompanying symptoms. An image of a classic “Bull’s eye” rash from Lyme disease is shown as well as the 2000 data reported from the map shown below that is entitled “Figure 2: Number of case of Lyme Disease, by county.” As you can see by the legend, Lyme disease is becoming more widespread. When in doubt,

Clinical Description: Lyme disease most often presents with a characteristic "bull's-eye" rash, erythema migrans, accompanied by nonspecific symptoms such as fever, malaise, fatigue, headache, muscle aches (myalgia), and joint aches (arthralgia). The incubation period from infection to onset of erythema migrans is typically 7 to 14 days but may be as short as 3 days and as long as 30 days.

Summary

If it has not been emphasized enough - Prevention, prevention, prevention is important when dealing with these insects.

This then is our mission - and wherever you travel this summer - let’s do better by trying to protect our loved ones, our visitors and ourselves! Together we can get these numbers up and protect ourselves from these and other vector-borne diseases.

Critter update

There are no vaccines for dogs and cats for west Nile virus and so far, West Nile in “seen” only in immune incompetent older dogs. Some of the tools to battle vectors, both mosquitoes and ticks include Frontline (Top Spot) and Advantix which are both topical applications and thought to be much more effective than flea collars.

Remember that heartworms are also vector carried and transmitted. There is an interesting site that all pet owners may want to visit by going to www.Heartwormsociety.org. That site calls mosquitoes the “silent messenger” and states “this airborne carrier can deliver a serious transfusion of microscopic parasites once it lands on the body of a dog, cat.” As you read this, the ever-present mosquito may be airlifting heartworm infection to your region, somewhere in the 48 contiguous states or Hawaii.” They also have a map of the country that illustrates heartworm infection and its prevalence. Sadly, according to this very interesting and comprehensive site, “there are no products in the U.S. approved for the treatment of feline heartworm infection.” The take-away message is that here is one more data-driven reason that cats should stay indoors for their safety and healthy longevity.