Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control
In This Issue
New Disease Increases Risk of Tick-borne Illness in California
Keep Me Wild to Discourage Rats and Mice
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Mosquito Bytes 
October 2013
   
  
Do you like to hike across Contra Costa County's trails or through our county's beautiful open spaces? If you do, don't forget to take precautions to prevent ticks. The fall and winter months are a prime time for ticks and this year the risk of tick-borne illness has increased. Read on for the latest scientific discoveries.

And it's no surprise wide open spaces can be home to wild animals, but sometimes certain wild animals would rather make their home out of your home. In this edition of Mosquito Bytes, you'll find out how to discourage rats and mice by keeping them wild. 

NEW DISEASE INCREASES RISK OF TICK-BORNE ILLNESS IN CALIFORNIA

Fall & winter are prime tick seasons

 

Western Black-Legged Tick
Western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) 

Young ticks are particularly active during the fall and winter, so anyone who walks or hikes through tall grass, brush or dense vegetation should take extra precautions to prevent ticks. You see, in addition to spreading Lyme disease, researchers now say ticks are also responsible for transmitting a previously unknown disease that is related to Rocky Mounted spotted fever.

 

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is known by the scientific name Rickettsia rickettsii. It is a tick-borne disease commonly found in the southeastern United States; however, it's rarely found west of the Rocky Mountains. That's why when researchers learned of a case in California in 2008, they took a closer look. Now they are able to confirm that the new tick-borne bacterium in California is part of the spotted fever family of diseases. The new bacterium is identified as Rickettsia philipii. Just last year, four human cases were confirmed statewide, including  two cases in Contra Costa County.

 

The Rickettsia philipii bacterium is transmitted by the Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis), which is one of the three primary ticks that can be found across California. So far scientists have found ticks infected with this new bacterium in at least eight California counties. While a small percentage of adult Pacific Coast ticks have tested positive for the disease thus far, researchers find that young nymphs are testing positive as well. This makes prevention very important because these young ticks are very small and very difficult to see. Symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue and what appears to be a blackened scab at the site of a tick bite.

 

In addition to the discovery of this new form of spotted fever, California researchers also confirm that the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) which is the primary tick responsible for spreading Lyme disease in California is also capable of transmitting a newly recognized type of tick-borne relapsing fever caused by the bacterium Borrelia miyamotoi. The symptoms of this illness include a fever that comes and goes, as well as headache and muscle aches. As of the writing of this article, there have not been any reports of  humans infected with Borrelia miyamotoi in California, but scientists say the fact that a tick that already exists in California is capable of transmitting this disease makes it more important than ever for outdoor enthusiasts to take the risk of tick-borne illness very seriously.

 

Using a tick repellent, wearing light-colored long sleeve clothing that is carefully tucked in at the waist and socks, and doing a tick check after exposure to wooded or grassy areas are all important ways to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne illness. Pet owners should consider using a veterinarian-approved flea and tick product on pets that roam outdoors because it can reduce the chance a pet might bring an infected tick home. Pet owners should also perform tick checks on pets as another way to reduce disease risk within a home. 

 

Prevention is the key to reducing risk from tick-borne diseases. In Contra Costa County, only about two percent of ticks are infected with Lyme disease. With such low risk of disease, there is no guarantee that a person who is bitten by an infected tick will also become infected. Various studies indicate that the tick must feed on a person for 2-24 hours before any disease-causing bacterium can be transferred. That is why prevention is so important. While tick-borne disease may be unlikely in our county, learn to recognize the symptoms and consult your doctor if they appear after a tick bite.

 

Anyone who finds a tick on a person should remove the tick by pulling gently, but firmly, with tweezers placed as close to the surface of the skin as possible. The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District does provide a free tick identification service for county residents, but does not test ticks for disease, as such tests cannot determine whether or not the tick has actually transmitted the pathogen. 

 
The District can provide a list of commercial laboratories that citizens may contact for tick testing should they be bitten by a tick; however at this time there are no current tests available for the newest tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia philipii bacterium.

 

Ticks may be small, but they can make a big impact. Be sure to protect yourself from the old and new tick-borne diseases and remember ticks do not seek people; we enter their habitat. With a few simple precautions, outdoor enthusiasts can take an important step toward a healthy future. 

KEEP ME WILD

Discourage rats and mice by forcing them to rely upon natural instincts

Rat picture
Roof rat (Rattus rattus)

 

In many states, including California, Fish and Wildlife agencies are utilizing the program Keep Me Wild to educate the public about the importance of leaving wild animals alone so they can maintain their natural instincts. We believe it's a good practice to adopt when it comes to rats and mice as well.

 

"People often forget--rats and mice are small, but they really are wild animals, too," says the District's Vertebrate Program Supervisor Jonathan Rehana.

 

"If they can find food and shelter in or near a resident's home, they will become dependent upon that food and shelter and can lose their natural instincts to forage for food and shelter on their own."

 

Rehana says, as the weather turns toward the cooler temperatures and longer nights, these nocturnal animals will be actively looking for something to eat and somewhere to live.  Dense vegetation, tall grass, ivy, and shrubs that grow low to the ground can serve as shelter.  Rehana says once they find a place to live, rats in particular will typically search for a food source within 300 feet of their habitat. Pet food or bird seed left outside, as well other food sources including trees bearing fruit and nuts, will attract rats. The more time that rats and mice spend within close proximity of a home, the more time they have to search for a point of entry into the home.

 

Residents should seal any holes on the outside of a home to prevent rats and mice from getting in and trap any rats or mice that do come onto the property to reduce their population. Also, always wet down any rat or mouse droppings and nesting materials with disinfectant and carefully wipe clean the affected area to reduce the risk of getting rodent-borne diseases.

 

The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District provides free inspections and reports to county residents who suspect rat or mouse activity on their property. Simply call or go online to request our free rodent inspection provided by trained and certified vector control technicians. And remember, it's better for the animal and home owner to keep wildlife wild because it discourages them from making your home, their home.

We hope you enjoyed this issue of Mosquito Bytes. Please contact us with your thoughts, questions, concerns, or ideas for future articles. We'd love to hear from you!

Be well!

Enthusiastically,

Deborah Bass

Public Affairs Manager

 

Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control

155 Mason Circle  *  Concord, CA  94520

925-771-6183

www.ContraCostaMosquito.com

http://twitter.com/CCMosquito

[email protected]

Protecting Public Health Since 1927