Tick%20Newsletter%202013

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Zoonoses Network Newsletter Produced on behalf of the UK Public Health Network for Zoonoses Number 14, Spring 2013 Please send any contributions and comments to Zoonoses@hpa.org.uk

In this issue: Page 1

Tick awareness Page 2

Cowpox Ornithosis Hantavirus Pulmonary leptospirosis Page 3

HAIRS risk assessment Orf outbreak, Turkey Sarcosystosis, Malaysia Cutaneous toxoplasmosis, Germany Page 4

Australian bat lyssavirus Pathogen from fish Rabies in Greece Alveolar echinococcosis, Europe HPA becomes part of Public Health England Conferences/CPD/ training opportunities

Ticks in the United Kingdom – raising awareness Ticks are blood feeding arachnids which become more active as spring temperatures increase. In the UK we have 20 endemic species, and 2 which are regularly imported but not established. The majority of these are specialist feeders found at particular locations, whereas others are widespread. One species, Ixodes ricinus, the sheep or deer tick, will feed on a wide range of different hosts, including mammals, birds and reptiles. Its wide distribution, high abundance and ability to transmit bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens in Europe makes it an important species to both human and veterinary health. Ixodes ricinus is most commonly found in woodland, rough grassland, and heathland, but also increasingly in urban parks and gardens.

Tick surveillance and research in the UK

behind the knees, around the waist and in the underarm and groin areas. Young children are more commonly bitten around the neck, behind the ears, along the hairline and on the scalp. Remember to also check your pets and their bedding.

Since 2005, the HPA has been running the Tick Other prevention strategies include: Recording Scheme (TRS) with the aim of prowalking on clearly defined paths avoiding moting surveillance, monitoring national distridense vegetation and tall grass butions, determining the diversity of species wearing light-coloured clothing so it’s easier present and facilitating the detection of imported to spot any ticks and brush them off or unusual species. Using ticks collected by the general public, veterinarians, wildlife charities, health care professionals and amateur entomologists, we have updated our knowledge of tick distributions and identified imported exotic species. To date we have over 1400 records of 16 species of tick, representing over 6000 individual ticks. We have also recorded at least 150 new locations for Ixodes ricinus. The HPA Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology group use data collected through the TRS and results from targeted field research to enhance our understanding of tick ecology. This allows us to better understand the role of ticks in transmission of infections to humans, and to translate this into health protection.

using repellents such as DEET If you find you have been bitten by a tick, it is important to remove it promptly, as this can minimise the risk of pathogen transmission. The only correct way to remove ticks is to use finetipped tweezers, or a tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upwards slowly and firmly, as any bits left in the skin can cause a local infection Once removed, apply antiseptic to the bite area and be vigilant for signs/symptoms of infection. Contact your GP if you begin to feel unwell and remember to tell them that you were bitten by a tick.

Tick bite prevention and removal Ticks can transmit a variety of pathogens including the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, symptoms of which can include a circular rash, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. More serious disease can develop without treatment, so prevention, prompt tick removal and early detection are crucial. Whilst spending time in tick habitats, it is important to regularly check your clothing and body, and remove any ticks promptly. On return home, carefully check your entire body, particularly in difficult to see areas such as skin folds,

[Text and images supplied by the Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology team, HPA Porton tick@hpa.org.uk


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