Raleigh – On the eve of Tick and Mosquito Awareness Month, state health officials are reminding people to be careful because warmer, wetter weather brings out more of the disease-carrying pests.
All North Carolinians are urged to take simple steps to prevent insects from biting them and to reduce insect breeding conditions around the home.
“Spring rains and warmer weather provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and ticks,” said State Health Director Jeff Engel. “Ticks and mosquitoes can be more than just a nuisance – they can also make people seriously ill. Now is the time to fight the bite!”
Nolan Newton, chief of the Public Health Pest Management Section of the Division of Environmental Health, said that people can take steps to prevent illness.
“You can make your backyard a lot less tick-friendly,” Newton said. “Keep grass short and remove plants that attract wild animals like deer and rodents, which carry ticks.”
Newton said discarding containers that hold water will remove mosquito breeding grounds.
“Take a good look at your environment now, before the mosquitoes really start biting,” he added. “Things like bird baths, old tires, planters and even small containers like tin cans can give mosquitoes a place to thrive.”
Newton added that people should remember to make sure they tightly secure screens on all openings on rain barrels used for water conservation. Placing a window screen on a rain barrel will remove a breeding area for mosquitoes but still allow people to conserve water.
Engel and Newton said insect repellent also can be useful, particularly against mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several repellents against mosquitoes – DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. According to the CDC, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3. Repellents containing permethrin provide excellent protection against ticks but may only be used on clothing. Consumers should look for products that contain the CDC-recommended ingredients, and follow instructions.
Also, exposure to mosquitoes and ticks can be limited by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. People should also check themselves and their families for ticks when they are in tick-prone areas.
Proper and prompt removal of ticks is the key to preventing infection. Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks, getting as far forward near the head as possible and pulling steadily. Note the day you removed the tick on a calendar. If you become ill in the next two weeks or develop a skin rash within a month of the tick bite, tell your physician the date you removed the tick.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most common tick-borne illness in North Carolina. According to the N.C. Division of Public Health, more than 260 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever were reported in North Carolina in 2009. The state also has other tick-borne illnesses. Last year, North Carolina reported more than 100 cases of Lyme disease and more than 60 cases of ehrlichiosis. Tick-borne diseases occur statewide.
La Crosse virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness. La Crosse virus is found mostly in western North Carolina. Two other mosquito-borne diseases, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus, are also found in North Carolina. While Eastern equine encephalitis is found largely in the eastern part of the state, West Nile virus is found statewide.
Wilkes County reported a death from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in 2008, and a confirmed case of Lymes Disease in 2009 along with four other probable cases. 2009 also had four cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and one case of West Nile Virus. So far in 2010 there has been one probable case of Lymes Disease.
For additional information on mosquitoes and ticks, visit the following websites: www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm, www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/arbovirus and www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/tick.
