DHSS Press Release

DELAWAREANS: THE BATTLE WITH TICKS AND MOSQUITOS IS ON

Prevention Is Key With Mosquito And Tick-Born Diseases

Warm weather brings sunshine and short-sleeves, but also brings biting, blood-seeking insects. The Delaware Division of Public Health reminds Delawareans that simple precautions reduce a person’s chances of getting tick-borne or mosquito-borne infections this summer.

The most common disease spread by ticks in Delaware is Lyme disease, which is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected deer ticks. Ticks are active all year, but most cases of Lyme disease occur during the spring and summer months when humans enjoy outdoor activities. In 2011, Delaware had 873 confirmed cases of Lyme disease. Symptoms can include a “bull’s-eye” rash (seen in approximately half of Lyme disease cases in Delaware), fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches. Chronic joint, heart and neurological problems may occur. It usually takes 24-36 hours of attachment before a disease is transmitted from a tick to a person. Early diagnosis and treatment, which may include antibiotics, are key to good health outcomes. Anyone bitten by a tick should monitor their health closely and contact a physician if symptoms develop. Other tick-borne illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Ehrlichiosis are diagnosed much less frequently in Delaware.

Diseases transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito include West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and several other diseases that cause brain inflammation (encephalitis). And while Delaware has not had a confirmed human case of EEE since 1979, cases of WNV do exist. In 2003, there were 17 confirmed human cases of WNV, two of which were fatal. During 2007, 2008 and 2011, one human case was confirmed each year. Approximately 80 percent of human infections are mild and cause no apparent symptoms. Nearly 20 percent of those infected develop a mild illness (West Nile fever), which includes fever, body and muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, and rash. A small percentage of patients, usually the elderly, develop severe neurological disease that results in meningitis or encephalitis.

“We know that insect bites are not only annoying and sometimes painful, but can be dangerous as well,” reminds DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “It’s better medicine to prevent insects from biting you at all.”

DPH reminds residents to take the following protective measures to avoid tick and mosquito bites:

TICK PREVENTION

• Wear light-colored clothing to allow you to see ticks crawling on your clothing.
• When possible, wear long sleeves and long pants. Tuck your pant legs into your socks.
• Apply tick repellants (check for child safety precautions before using).
• Check yourself and your children for ticks after being outdoors; pay special attention to the head area. Know that ticks can enter your home on pets.

TICK REMOVAL

• Use fine-tipped tweezers or shield your fingers with a tissue, paper towel or rubber gloves. Avoid removing ticks with bare hands whenever possible.
• Grasp the tick close to the skin surface and pull upward with steady, even pressure.
• Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick since its fluids (saliva, body fluids, and gut contents) may contain infectious germs.
• After removing the tick, cleanse the site with an antiseptic or soap and water, and wash your hands.

DPH does not recommend the use of home remedies such as petroleum jelly or hot matches for tick removal. These methods do not work and are potentially unsafe.

MOSQUITO PREVENTION

• Take extra precautions when mosquitoes are active, such as at dusk.
• When working outside, wear protective clothing such as shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and pants.
• Mosquito netting can also be used to protect one’s face and neck or used on infant carriages, strollers and playpens.
• Apply mosquito repellent (check for child safety precautions before using).

MOSQUITO-PROOF YOUR HOME, HELP YOUR COMMUNITY

• Keep windows and doorways tightly sealed and maintain window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
• Electronic repellents that emit high frequency sounds do not repel mosquitoes or other pests. The electronic bug zappers do not control mosquitoes or other flying pests but in fact kill bugs indiscriminately, killing many beneficial insects that prey on pests.
• Eliminating or managing standing water around your house is the best method to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your backyard:
  • Change birdbath water every week.
  • Regularly drain pet dishes and plant pot saucers.
  • Regularly clean and repair gutters to prevent them from retaining water.
  • Regularly check and drain plastic covers and tarps used outside such as pool covers, Jacuzzi covers, garbage can lids, compost covers and gardening tarps.
  • Store water-trapping containers such as wading pools, wheelbarrows and buckets upside down or inside shelters.
• Manage habitats in and around water bodies such as ornamental and retention ponds, ditches and catch basins:
  • Manage weeds; keep vegetation short around water. Adult mosquitoes are attracted to dense, tall vegetation around water.
  • Remove unnecessary floating structures or debris from ponds. Mosquitoes are often found around floating debris.
  • Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean to allow proper drainage.
  • Consider stocking ornamental or permanent, self-contained ponds with insect-eating fish, such as goldfish.
  • Shape pond edges to a shelf or steep slope. Mosquitoes prefer shallow pond edges.

Further information regarding tick prevention can be found at: CDC: www.cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/

DPH:www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/epi/lyme

Further information regarding mosquito prevention can be found at: CDC: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/prevention

For questions concerning mosquito control, please call Department of Natural Resources Environmental Control (DNREC) at:

• New Castle County (302) 836-2555
• Kent/Sussex Counties (302) 422-1512

For additional information regarding human disease, contact DPH, Bureau of Epidemiology at: 1-888-295-5156.

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.