1. Ticks What You Need to Know

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Identifying Ticks

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Lyme Disease 5-Year Average Incidence

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