1. MOSQUITO, TICK, AND SPIDER BORNE DISEASES
Occupational Health and Safety Program

2. Getting Credit Getting Credit and Certificate it and Certificate
To get full credit and certificate for this class, the class facilitator should do the following:
*Present the Power Point Presentation and have all students study any handouts.
*Enter the appropriate information into the facility’s training records.
*Send the following information by to the Cabinet’s Safety Coordinator for each student in the class:
-name,
-work address,
-work title,
-name of class,
-date of class.
Safety Coordinator-Richard T. Owen at
The certificates will be returned to the class facilitator for distribution.

3. Topics Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Spiders
Common Tick, Mosquito, Spider Borne Diseases
Lyme Disease
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
West Nile Virus
Personal Protection Measures

4. Deer Tick

5. Female Deer Tick

6. Male Deer Tick

7. Dog Ticks

8. Dog Tick Claw

9. TICKS - Precautions Deer Tick
Proper Clothing. When entering tick-infested areas, wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers with tight-fitting cuffs. Wear light-colored clothing. Ticks are easier to see on a light background. 
Repellents. Use an insect repellent containing the active ingredient diethyl toluamide (DEET). Apply to clothing and areas of exposed skin such as hands, wrists, ankles and neck. Protect dogs with flea and tick collars. Be sure to read and follow label directions. 

10. Common Tick Borne Diseases DISEASE CAUSATIVE AGENT
Babesiosis Protozoa
Tularemia Bacteria
Lyme disease Bacteria
Rocky Mountain spotted fever Rickettsia
Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) Ehrlichia
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) Ehrlichia
Relapsing fever Bacteria
Colorado tick fever Virus
Powassan encephalitis Virus
Tick paralysis Neurotoxin
Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) Bacteria
While new tick-borne pathogens, or new strains of currently recognized pathogens, are continually emerging, today there are approximately eleven (11) tick-borne illnesses of concern in the U.S.: Lyme disease, as I mentioned, is the most prevalent with close to 24,000 case having been reported by the CDC in That’s followed by Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which, unlike its name would suggest is most common in the eastern half of the U.S., North Carolina routinely reporting the highest number of cases. The first outbreaks of RMSF were noted in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, and the disease agent was isolated and studied at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories, hence its name which has stuck, despite the diseases epidemiological shift eastward cases of RMSF were reported in the U.S. in Then there are the human ehrlichioses: human monocytic and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HME and HGE, respectively). The two diseases are caused by different organisms that attack different types of white blood cells and that are transmitted by different tick species. The names derive from the types of white blood cells that are favored for attack, i.e. monocytes and granulocytes. Just under 1000 total cases of human ehrlichiosis were reported in Babesiosis is a deadly, malaria-like illness. It’s not yet nationally reportable. STARI, or southern tick-associated rash illness, as the CDC has dubbed the “Lyme-like illness” that occurs most commonly in the southeastern quadrant of the U.S. is also not yet reportable. Tularemia is of concern because of its virulence and weaponization potential. And there are a few others that occur with less frequency.
All of these tick-borne illnesses are caused by microorganisms (either a bacteria, virus, or parasite) with the exception of tick paralysis which is caused by a neurotoxic chemical that flows along with the ticks saliva into the bite site. It leads to an ascending paralysis, which can result in death. Fortunately, if the tick is discovered and removed, symptoms usually resolve fairly quickly and without serious sequelae.
There are over 800 species of ticks worldwide, approximatley 150 of which are present in North America. Not all ticks transmit every disease. Different tick species transmit different diseases or groups of diseases. In fact, three species account for the majority of tick bite incidents in this country, although there are many others that are involved but much less frequently.

11. Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an infectious disease that often begins with a characteristic rash, and which can later involve the joints, nervous system and/or heart.
Most common vector borne disease in the United States.

12. Lyme Disease
The bacteria that cause Lyme Disease is transmitted by the bite of the Deer Tick.
The tick must be attached for several hours for transmission to occur (usually hours).
Lyme disease can be debilitating but is rarely fatal.
Lyme disease is not transmitted person to person.

13. Lyme Disease
Incubation period is usually 7 to 14 days following tick exposure.
Can be re-infected.

14. Lyme Disease Symptoms
“Bull’s-Eye” Rash at the site of infection, usually within 1 month.
May appear more like a bruise on dark-skinned individuals.
Flu-Like Symptoms
fatigue
headache
sore/aching muscles & joints
fever
sore throat
swollen glands

15. Lyme Disease Prevention
Proper wearing of work clothing.
Routine tick checks.
Prompt & Proper tick removal.
Use insect repellant.
If possible, stay out of tick infested areas.

16. Lyme Disease Rash

17. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
RMSF is a serious tick-borne disease transmitted by the American Dog Tick and Rock Mountain Wood Tick.

18. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Incubation period: 5 to 10 days.
Rash appears 2 to 5 days after onset of fever.
The majority of RMSF victims must be hospitalized.
Mortality rate is 3 to 5 percent.
RMSF attacks the cells that line the blood vessels.
Damage to the major organs is very possible.

19. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Signs and Symptoms
High Fever
Severe Headache
Nausea
Muscle Pain
Chills
Extreme Exhaustion
Red Spotted Rash
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhea
Joint Pain

20. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Signs and Symptoms
RMSF can be a severe illness, and the majority of patients are hospitalized.

21. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Prevention
Wear light colored clothing which allows you to see ticks that are crawling on your clothing.
Tuck pants legs into socks so that ticks cannot crawl up the inside of pant leg.
Apply repellents.
Repellents containing permethrin can be spray on boots and clothing and will last for several days.

22. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Prevention
Repellents containing DEET can be applied to the skin, but will last only few hours before reapplication is necessary.
Conduct a body check upon return from potentially tick infested areas by searching the entire body for ticks.
Remove any tick found on the body.

23. RMSF Rash

24. Tick Removal
Use tweezers to firmly grasp the tick’s mouthparts up against the skin.
Pull back firmly and steadily.
Be patient – the tick’s central mouthpart is covered with sharp barbs, sometimes making removal difficult.

25. Tick Removal
After removing the tick wash the wound site with soap & water and apply an antiseptic.
Save the tick for future analysis.
You may discard the tick after one month.
All known tick-borne diseases generally show up within one month of infection.

26. Tick Removal
DO NOT!
Pull back sharply, as this may tear the mouthparts from the body, leaving them embedded in the skin.
Squeeze or crush the body of the tick because this may force infective body fluids through the mouthparts and into the wound site.

27. Tick Removal
DO NOT!
Apply substances such as petroleum jelly, finger nail polish, finger nail polish remover, repellents, pesticides, or a lighted match to the tick while it is attached.
These materials are either ineffective, or worse, might agitate the tick and cause it to force more infective fluid into the wound site.

28. West Nile Virus

29. Year 2002-over 4,000 cases including 284 deaths
West Nile Virus
Year 2002-over 4,000 cases including 284 deaths

30. West Nile Encephalitis
West Nile Encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by the West Nile Virus.
Encephalitis means swelling of the brain.
Humans get West Nile Virus from infected mosquitoes.
West Nile fatality rate is approximately 15%.
Increased severity in individuals over fifty.

31. West Nile Encephalitis Symptoms
Fever
Head Ache
Body Aches
Nausea
Disorientation
Paralysis
Coma
Death

32. West Nile Encephalitis-How it Spreads
Infected Mosquitoes-Most often.
Transfusions, Transplants, and Mother to Child-Very small number.
Not through touching.

33. West Nile Encephalitis Prevention
Proper wearing of work clothing. Light colored clothing can help you see mosquitoes that land.
Use mosquito repellent on exposed skin and permethrin on clothing.
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn, dusk, & early evening.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites.

34. Spiders
Black Widow Spider
Brown Recluse Spider

35. Spiders
Brown Recluse Spider

36. Spiders-Brown Recluse (Fiddleback)
One of few spiders in U.S. known to be very harmful to humans.
Regarded by some as more dangerous than the Black Widow Spider because it is considered a house spider and isn’t as simple to identify.
Long, thin gray to dark brown legs covered with very short dark hairs; adults are yellowish-tan to dark brown.
Dark brown or black violin or fiddle on its back with violin’s neck pointing toward the rear of its body.

37. Spiders-Brown Recluse (Fiddleback)
Both male and female spiders are similar in appearance and are equally venomous.
Other spiders which have markings that resemble violins-Brown Recluse does not have any markings on its abdomen (tan to brown in color).
Average size of adult is about the size of a quarter.

38. Spiders-Brown Recluse (Fiddleback)
Location-Prefer warm, dry locations.
Inside dressers Behind furniture
In showers and bathtubs Garages
Underneath furniture Storage sheds
In bed sheets of infrequently used beds Attics
In stacks of clothes Cellars/basements
Behind baseboards Firewood
In boxes Near furnaces
In closets Near water heaters

39. Spiders-Brown Recluse (Fiddleback)
Highest concentration of these spiders are in central U.S. (tan area)

40. Spiders-Brown Recluse Dangers to Humans
One of few spiders that can pierce human skin.
Non-aggressive.
Typically hunt at night.
Most people are bitten by them through accidental contact with areas where they prefer to dwell.
Bite frequently goes unnoticed until the serious after effects start.
Active in temperatures ranging from 45 to 110 degrees F, but can bite at any time of the year in a heated building.

41. Spiders-Brown Recluse Dangers to Humans
Tissue Necrosis (tissue death)
Area may become painful, itchy, hot, swollen, red, and tender.
Irregular ulcerous sore will often appear (bull’s eye pattern).
Prompt attention is best treatment.
If killing tissue, will turn purple and then black.
Systemic Symptoms-If gets in bloodstream
*Fever *Chills *Sweating *Nausea
*Vomiting *Joint Pain *Jaundice *Seizures
*Blood in urine *Coma *Kidney failure
*Hemolysis

42. Spiders-Black Widow
Identification is based upon the pattern of red coloration on the abdomen underside and geographic distribution.
In Kentucky-
Southern Black Widow
Northern Black Widow

43. Spiders-Black Widow Location:
Indoors-dark garages, basements, stables, out-buildings.
Outside-rock crevices, wood piles, overhangs, abandoned rodent holes.

44. Spiders-Black Widow Southern Northern Anterior Anterior Posterior

45. Spiders-Black Widow
Timid spiders, not known to aggressively bite humans.
Only the female has venom.
Venom is a neurotoxin.
After being bitten, may feel painful rigidity in the abdomen muscles and tightness in chest.
Other symptoms-increase blood pressure, rise in body temperature, nausea, and sweating.
Death is uncommon-less than 1% of the reported cases.
Seek medical attention if you suspect you have been bitten. Without medical attention, the symptoms can last 5 days and a complete recovery may take weeks.

46. Personal Protective Measures-Spiders
Watch where you place your hands.
Shake out clothing and shoes before putting them on.
Wear gloves and long sleeved shirts when cleaning out areas (inside/outside), boxes or containers that are usually left undisturbed.
Difficult to kill with most insecticides. Pesticides are usually ineffective unless directly sprayed on the spider. However, even something as simple as water can have the same effect when sprayed directly.
Routine, thorough building cleaning.

47. Personal Protective Measures-Spiders
Caulk/seal any cracks and crevices in buildings where spiders exist.
Install screens or replace damaged screens as appropriate.
Remove potential breeding places-woodpiles, leaf litter, debris, and rocks.
Seal boxes and storage bags. Keep them away from a wall where possible.
Reduce clutter in basements, attics, and closets.

48. Personal Protective Measures: Insect Repellents
Use insect repellents that contain DEET with a strength of at least 33%.
A stronger concentration is not necessary.
Insect repellent should be reapplied every 4-5 hours due to perspiration and activities that cause it to be rubbed off by contact.

49. Personal Protective Measures: Permethrin
Spray permethrin aerosol to clothing. DO NOT apply this chemical to clothing while wearing them.
Permethrin is a very strong chemical. DO NOT apply it directly to skin. Permethrin is for clothing only.

50. Warning!
Red Road Bug

51. Thank You For Your Participation
For additional assistance contact:
Richard T. Owen
Education Cabinet Safety Coordinator
601 East Main Street
Frankfort, Kentucky