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New Threats from Deer Ticks by Sam McLean

that 2 to 4 percent of ticks in Maine carry the virus—in contrast to the prevalence of Lyme disease parasites of 40 to 60 percent. Alarmingly, the virus can be transmitted in as little as an hour after a tick attaches itself to the host. The symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting, seizures, confusion, weakness, lethargy, and swelling of the brain. The majority of cases of all three illnesses occur during the summer months, when the numbers of nymphal-stage ticks are greatest. They can, however, occur at any time of the year, especially after a mild winter, such as the one we just had. As for Lyme disease, the best treatment is prevention. Avoid brushy and wooded areas, and be very careful at the beach, because ticks love climbing up the stalks of dune grass, waiting to latch on to an unsuspecting host. Be sure to check yourself for ticks after a trip to the beach or the woods, try to wear light-colored clothing so that ticks show up more easily, and take a shower soon after visiting such areas to wash off or identify ticks on your body. Finally, don’t forget to check your pets frequently for ticks. One effective method of trapping deer ticks on your dog or cat is to run a sticky-tape lint brush over your pet when it comes inside. Black Legged Ticks Comparison of Size

While most of us are aware that deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), also called black-legged ticks, can carry the agent that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorrferi and B. miyamotoi), fewer of us understand that these ticks may also carry several other, potentially deadly pathogens. New England has long been a hotbed of Lyme disease, but we are now seeing tick-borne cases of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan encephalitis. Last year, at least 38 cases of anaplasmosis were reported in Maine alone, as comparedwith essentially 0 cases nationwide in the 1990s. Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophium and can produce fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes cough—all of which may also be mistaken for the flu. The illness presents the greatest danger to the elderly, the very young, and people who are immunocompromised. There were 56 confirmed and probable cases of babesiosis in Maine in 2015, 25 percent of which resulted in hospitalization. Babesiosis is caused by the parasite Babesia microti and presents the most serious threat to hosts who are immunocompromised. It attacks red cells and, in severe cases, can cause hemolytic anemia. Most cases are mild and may be mistaken for the flu, with symptoms such as fever, chills, and achiness. It can also be transmitted through blood transfusions.

Male Pin Head Female Engorged Female Adult (Ixodes scapularis) Nymph stages are the size of a poppy seed Larval stage size of a period at the end of sentence (MDH)

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June 2016 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR