FORT LEE, Va. (April 28, 2016) -- Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other illnesses known to be carried by the eight-legged insects.
The Fort Lee community is fortunate because the Lone Star Tick is the predominant species in Central Virginia, and they do not carry Lyme Disease, a common tick-borne phenomenon in other parts of the country.
Last year, 93 percent of the 280 ticks collected by local health agencies were the Lone Star variety. While Lyme Disease isn't common among them, they can carry Human Monocytotropic Ehrlichiosis. Of the ticks tested last year, three percent were carriers of HME.
All vector-borne diseases -- those transmitted to humans by arthropods -- have similar life cycles. The vector (insect) needs a blood meal in order to develop and reproduce. If it feeds on an organism infected with a blood-borne pathogen, it can become a carrier of that disease reservoir. If the vector then feeds on a human for its next meal, the person will likely acquire the pathogen and become ill.
Not all organisms are infected, therefore, not all vectors carry diseases. Even if a tick is infected, it takes bacteria several hours to "reactivate" and get into the tick's saliva. This is good news because it means a tick must be actively feeding on its victim for several hours or even a couple of days before it can successfully transmit a disease.
The best way to prevent tick bites is the DOD insect repellent system, and most service members have it. It's their uniform. A properly worn uniform with trouser legs tucked inside boots is the best defense against ticks. All uniforms now sold are pre-treated with permethrin, a pesticide that kills ticks on contact.
Individuals should also apply a DEET-based insect repellant to any exposed skin as a deterrent. Not getting bitten is the best way to avoid potential infections.
Off-duty service members, civilians and their families can use the same principles to tick-proof themselves as well. Always wear long pants in wooded or brushy areas and tuck them into hightop boots or long socks. Also choose light-colored clothing so ticks are easy to spot and brush off.
Additionally, there are commercially available permethrin treatment kits individuals can use to turn their favorite outdoor-wear into a tick-resistant shield. Those who choose to wear shorts should apply repellent to all exposed skin, and it's wise to do a thorough tick-check before heading indoors and again when all clothes can be removed indoors. Do not forget to check children and pets as well.
If you are bit by a tick and it is embedded in the skin, remove it carefully with fine point tweezers. Do not burn, apply petroleum jelly, turn counterclockwise, or utilize any other mythical home remedies because there is no substitute for the proper technique.
First, disinfect the surrounding area with an alcohol swab. Next, place tweezers as close to skin as possible and grasp tick firmly.Pull straight up slowly until the tick either comes out or breaks. The infectious material is further back in the tick's body, so there is no reason to fret if the head breaks off during removal. Wash the bite area and apply antibacterial ointment to prevent a secondary infection.
After removal, keep the tick in a clean plastic bag and store it in a cool dry place like the refrigerator. Ticks can be brought in to the clinic for testing (with the exception of those removed from pets).
DA Civilians who are bitten while on duty may have the tick tested at Kenner's Occupational Health Clinic. Off-duty DA Civilians and contractors must consult their primary care provider.
The bottom line is diligence ... protecting yourself against ticks, and not forgetting to do a thorough skin check after any outings that involve wooded or high-brush areas.
For more information including tick removal instructional videos, visit www.tickencounter.org or www.cdc.gov/dpdx.
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