Ticks What You Need to Know

Tick Bites For Fiscal Year 2013/2014 DCNR had more than 100 compensable/medical tick bite claims Tick bites are DCNR’s #1 claim of injury Tick bites have significantly increased in the past two years and are a major concern for DCNR employees

Diseases Associated with Tick Bites in the Northeastern U.S. Anaplasmosis – is transmitted to humans by tick bites primarily from blacklegged tick Babesiosis – is transmitted by blacklegged tick Borrelia Miyamotoi – is transmitted by blacklegged tick Ehrlichiosis – is transmitted by lone star tick Lyme disease – transmitted by blacklegged tick and the groundhog tick Powassan disease – transmitted by the blacklegged tick and the groundhog tick STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness) – transmitted by lone star tick Tularemia – transmitted to humans by the dog tick, the wood tick and the lone star tick

Ticks Are Often Found on the Human Body: Under Arms In and around ears Inside belly button Back of Knees In Hair Groin area Waist

Common Symptoms of Tick borne Illness: Fever/chills Muscle Aches Rash – may appear 1 day to 3 weeks after bite Headache Fatigue Joint Pain Nausea/vomiting Skin Ulcer – appears at site where tick entered the body

Treatment Carefully remove the tick with tick puller and wash the site of the bite Watch for signs of illness Seek medical attention with panel physician if tick imbedded longer than 24 hours, tick engorged, or flu-like symptoms or rash occurs Antibiotic Doxycycline prescribed- unless you are pregnant or breast feeding Infectious Disease Specialist, if complications occur and further treatment needed

Ingesting Doxycycline Pros of Ingesting Doxycycline Cons of Ingesting Doxycycline Highly beneficial if taken within 72 hours of initial tick bite Drug is effective almost 90% of the time Drug is also prescribed for the treatment of the cardiac, nervous and joint symptoms associated with Lyme disease Diarrhea Sore Mouth Itching of Rectum or Vagina Less common severe side effects: severe headache, blurred vision, hives, itching, dark urine, vomiting, stomach pain and loss of appetite – contact treating physician

Lyme Disease Test Test results for Lyme’s Disease is unlikely to be positive until approximately 4 weeks after known tick bite ELISA or Western Blot – current test methods

Identifying Ticks

Ticks – When/where are they found Ticks are most active in early spring and the summer months; however, they survive year round Ticks require high humidity to survive Ticks usually live in wooded, brushy, grassy and shaded areas Blacklegged Tick American Dog Tick

Prevention Avoid tick infested area, if possible Wear light colored clothing, long sleeve shirts, pants; tuck pants in socks Use Repellents sprays with DEET Shower soon after being outdoors Throw clothing into dryer, set on high heat Check for ticks frequently Use Permethrin on boots, clothing, camping gear; do not use Permethrin on skin DCNR provides tick repellent to employees to help prevent tick bites

Workers’ Compensation Claims: Ticks Only one Incident Only tick claim needed per leave calendar year Report tick bites to your supervisor ASAP Seek medical attention if tick is embedded for more than 24 hours Note: A Medical Only claim is required for each occurrence Medical documentation: Return to Work Duty Status Report required for all Medical Only Claims

Lyme Disease 5-Year Average Incidence

Tick Bites Additional information may be secured at www.cdc.gov Senate Bill 210. Lyme and Related Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance, Education, Prevention and Treatment Act signed June 26, 2014.