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Hikers Urged to be Cautious and Use Insect Repellent When Hiking
February 4, 2011 (Penasqitos)--Just as we usher in the Chinese year of the rabbit, rabbit fever has been found in Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve. County Vector Control announced this week that a Pacific Coast tick found on Feb. 1, near the Preserve during routine monitoring has tested positive for Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever.
“Tularemia is a bacterial, vector-borne disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, or through direct contact with an infected animal such as rabbits and other rodents,” said Jack Miller, Director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “We recommend using insect repellent to prevent ticks and other insects from biting, especially when hiking in bushy areas. Flea and tick control products should also be used on pets.”
Ticks get tularemia by biting infected rabbits, rodents or other animals.
“Symptoms in humans include lymph node swelling, headache and fever. Other symptoms include a skin ulcer at the site of the bite, fatigue, body aches and nausea,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “Tularemia cannot be transmitted from person-to-person, but it can be transmitted by handling infected meat, or drinking water contaminated by an infected animal. Tularemia can also cause death in rare cases, but is treatable with antibiotics.”
To avoid tick bites:
1. Stay on designated pathways, choose wide trails and walk in the center. Avoid grassy or brushy areas and do not handle wild rodents.
2. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing; tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks.
3. Apply insect repellent to clothing and footwear.
4. Check clothing, body and companions for ticks frequently.
5. Leave pets at home or keep them on a leash. If they have not been already treated with a tick and flea regimen, use insecticide powders or sprays labeled for tick control.
6. Carefully remove attached ticks immediately. Remove embedded ticks by grabbing them with tweezers as close to the head as possible and pull out steadily and firmly.
If you develop symptoms within three weeks after visiting a tick-infested area, seek medical attention. Tell your doctor that you have recently been in a tick-infested area. For more information about Tularemia surveillance, call the Vector Control Program at (858) 694-2888 or visit www.SDVector.com.
For more info on ticks in San Diego County, view this video: http://www.youtube.com/countysandiego#p/u/137/BW4OiOPWr0M
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