Vermont Department of Health
Public Health Advisory
September 2013
Recreational Activities and the Risk of Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes and Ticks
Summer is coming to a close, but
that does not lessen the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease or
mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine
encephalitis (EEE).
Ticks that spread Lyme disease
are found in many parts of Vermont, and are active almost year round. The
number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease has increased significantly over
the past 10 years in many parts of the state.
The peak time for mosquitoes that
spread these viruses to people is generally in late summer and early fall, up
until a hard frost occurs. This is also the time of year that school sports and
fall leagues begin their outdoor practices. This fall, WNV is likely
circulating in most parts of the state, and all Vermonters are at some risk for
getting ill with this disease. This year, EEE virus has been found in just a
few localized areas, but it is possible the virus is more widespread.
To see if you are in a known area of
increased risk for EEE, review the risk map and surveillance data at http://www.healthvermont.gov/prevent/arbovirus/surveillance/index.aspx
Participation in outdoor activities at any
time of day increases exposure to ticks and mosquitoes. Children and adults participate in sports and
recreational activities during the evening when many kinds of mosquitoes are
most actively biting. In addition,
physical exertion and sweating can attract mosquitoes and may decrease the time
that repellents are effective.
By taking a few commonsense precautions, people can protect
themselves against ticks and mosquitoes while still enjoying outdoor
activities.
·
Schedule outdoor activity to avoid peak mosquito
hours.
The hours from dusk to dawn are peak mosquito biting times for many
mosquitoes. Consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
·
Clothing can help reduce tick and mosquito bites. When
you are outdoors, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks. This may be
difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help to keep ticks and
mosquitoes away from your skin.
·
Eliminate all areas of standing water. Mosquitoes need water to reproduce.
·
Create a tick-safe zone around on our
property. For more
information see Landscaping to Control Ticks at http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/lyme/landscape.aspx.
·
Apply insect repellent when you
go outdoors. A wide variety of
insect repellent products are available.
o
Always follow
the instructions on the product label.
o
The
repellents that are most effective against both
mosquitoes and ticks contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or permethrin.
o
DEET
products can be used directly on skin and on clothing. Products containing DEET
should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.
o
Permethrin
products are designed to be used on clothing and should not be used directly on
skin.
o
Products
containing Picaridin (KBR 3023) are only effective against mosquitoes.
o
Products containing
oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] have also been found to
provide as much protection against mosquitoes as low concentrations of DEET. Products
containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children younger than
3 years of age.
·
Check for Ticks after Spending Time
Outdoors. Thoroughly check your skin for ticks that may
have attached themselves while you were outdoors. Young deer ticks, called
nymphs, are the size of a poppy seed.
Adult deer ticks are the size of a sesame seed. When doing a tick check, remember that ticks like places that are
warm and moist. Always check the back of the knees, armpits, groin, scalp, back
of the neck and behind the ears. If you find a tick attached to your body,
remove it as soon as possible using a fine-point tweezers. Do not squeeze or
twist the tick’s body, but grasp it close to your skin and pull straight out
with steady pressure.
For more information about insect
repellents and safe use of repellents, please see the VDH fact sheet at: http://www.healthvermont.gov/prevent/arbovirus/repellents.aspx .
General information on
mosquito-borne diseases can be obtained by visiting the VDH web site at: http://www.healthvermont.gov/prevent/arbovirus/index.aspx .
General information on Lyme
disease and other tick-borne diseases can be found on the VDH website at: http://www.healthvermont.gov/prevent/zoonotic/tickborne/Tickborne_diseases.aspx.
Below you will find a list of links with more information on Ticks and Insect Repellents:
1. The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites: http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/lyme/documents/preventing_lyme_disease.pdf
2. How to choose an insect repellent:
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