Risk of tick-borne disease returns with spring


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SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 07, 2008
CONTACT: Dr. Lon Kightlinger, State Epidemiologist, (605) 773-3737
                      Dr. Mike Catangui, SDSU Extension Entomologist, (605) 668-4603
 
Risk of tick-borne disease returns with spring
PIERRE, S.D. – Spring’s warmer weather means more time outside and a higher risk of tick-borne illness says a state health official.
Dr. Lon Kightlinger, State Epidemiologist for the Department of Health, said South Dakota reports tick-borne diseases each year. In 2007 South Dakota reported seven cases of tularemia, five of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and no cases of Lyme disease. Kightlinger noted that tularemia, or rabbit fever, can also be spread by infected rabbit carcasses.
"While Lyme disease is the most common tick-carried illness in the United States, it is not endemic in South Dakota ticks. The deer tick, or black-legged tick, needs heavily forested areas to thrive, so our prairies are a good deterrence to these Lyme-carrying ticks,” said Dr. Kightlinger. “The 10 Lyme disease endemic states are Minnesota and Wisconsin in the upper-Midwest and Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island in the northeast."
There are 17 different tick species in South Dakota and not all transmit each type of infection. “The American dog tick is the most common species in the state and is the main carrier of tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever,” said Dr. Mike Catangui, Extension Entomologist at South Dakota State University. “The deer tick, the primary species that transmits the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, has been found in only five eastern South Dakota counties. Another tick found in South Dakota, the mouse tick, can also transmit the spirochete.”
Dr. Kightlinger said the Department of Health investigates all reported cases of tick-borne disease in the state. Those investigations indicate the majority of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia cases are acquired in South Dakota while most Lyme disease cases are acquired out-of-state.
Tick-borne illness symptoms include sudden onset of a moderate-to-high fever, stiff neck, deep muscle pain, arthritis, fatigue, severe headache, chills, a rash on the arms and legs or around the site of the bite, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck. If you develop any of these symptoms after a tick bite, see your doctor. With Rocky Mountain spotted fever the illness does not start immediately after the tick bite, but typically 5 to 10 days after the tick attachment.
A tick bite is usually painless and appears as a small red bump with a bright red halo. If you find a tick attached, be careful not to crush it. Instead, use tweezers or a facial tissue and pull slowly and steadily to remove the tick. Once removed, immediately apply antiseptic to the site to prevent infection. If you used bare hands to remove the tick, wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap, being especially careful not to touch your eyes before washing your hands.
Take the following steps to prevent tick exposure:
  • Repel ticks by tucking your pants into your socks when outdoors. Spray clothes and any exposed skin with a tick repellent.
  • Check frequently for ticks when outdoors, especially the scalp and folds of skin. Ticks need to be attached for several hours to spread infection so you can significantly cut your risk by checking for and removing ticks right away.
  • Check small children thoroughly and often for ticks when they've been outside or have had contact with pets or livestock that may have ticks.
  • Apply insecticides and tick repellents to your pet's bedding for added protection.
  • Check your animals frequently for ticks. To remove ticks from animals, apply constant traction with forceps or tweezers. If you must use your fingers, wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
  • When visiting Lyme disease infested areas (northeastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, north-Atlantic coast states) take special precautions to avoid ticks.
Fact sheets on specific tick-borne diseases can be found on the Department of Health web site at http://doh.sd.gov/DiseaseFacts/. For more information about ticks, visit the SDSU Extension site at http://plantsci.sdstate.edu/ent/entpubs/ticks_SD.htm.