Zoonotic Diseases—protect yourself!

by

Michael Foster

Sr. Associate Consultant Davey Resource Group

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As we pioneer into the spring season we find ourselves spending more and more time outdoors. Along with the warming weather comes the emergence of insects, arachnids, and other bugs— and with them the potential for zoonotic diseases. So what is a zoonotic disease? A zoonotic disease is a disease that is typically harbored by animals and can be spread to humans. They are generally caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Zoonoses can cause many different types of sicknesses in people and animals ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. It is important to know that animals do not always appear sick when carrying a zoonotic disease. While there are many zoonoses that can be spread to humans through improper handling or preparation of food or through direct or indirect contact with an infected animal or there bodily fluids, for the purposes of this article I am going to focus on those that are vector borne—e.g. they carried by insects and arachnids and transferred to humans through a bite. One of the most devastating pandemics in human history—the Black Plague—was spread or a bacteria through flea bites.

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Diseases spread by ticks, fleas, and mosquitos are serious and infect many people in the U.S. each year. Some of the most common zoonotic diseases that can be contracted from a tick or mosquito bite include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tularemia, plague, West Nile virus, dengue fever, zika virus, and malaria. While not all of these diseases are common in the United States, they can be contracted during vacation travels to areas like the Caribbean. In addition, zoonoses are not biased; anyone can become sick from a zoonotic disease, including healthy people. However, some people may be more at risk than others for certain zoonotic diseases. Children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and anyone with a weekend immune system tend to be at a greater risk for infection.

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Do not misunderstand the purpose of this article. It is not to scare readers, rather inform. There are things you can do to protect yourself and your children from zoonotic diseases. The first thing to do is recognize areas in which you may come into contact with vector borne diseases. Farms, nature parks, woody or brushy areas, and forests are common areas that many of us spend time in where we can come into contact with fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. Recognize these areas and use the proper protective equipment—e.g. light colored clothing sprayed with Deet and/or Permethrin base bug repellants—when entering them. It is ideal to wear long sleeves and pants in these areas. After leaving an area where ticks occur check for ticks: check not only yourself but your children and pets as well. Mosquitoes use standing water to breed. Turn over any buckets, old tires, or flower pots where standing water may occur to eliminate breeding locations.

Safeguards against vector borne illnesses are not guaranteed to prevent 100% of the organisms that can spread these diseases. Rather, they are meant to lessen the chances of contracting zoonoses. If you find a tick on you and begin feeling ill, seek proper medical attention. Be sure to inform medical professionals of the tick bite so that the proper tests and precautions can be taken.