TICKING TIME BOMB?
Diseases from ticks, fleas, mosquitoes on the rise
Diseases from mosquito, tick and flea bites have tripled in the United States since 2004, a rising threat across the nation that is leaving local and state health departments scrambling to control, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds.
Between 2004 and 2016, there were over 640,000 cases of disease spread by mosquitoes and ticks reported and nine new germs discovered or introduced in the U.S. in what officials are calling a “public health crisis,” the report found.
The number of annual reports of tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 in 2004 to more than 48,000 in 2016 with Lyme disease making up 82 percent of all the cases in that period. But officials warn that the actual amount of affected people is higher because many cases go unreported.
There are a number of reasons for the rise, officials say, from warmer weather to more people living in rural areas.
“There has been a steady rise in Massachusetts,” said Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “There has been an increased suburbanization of rural areas with more people living in the woods. There has been a change in climate. It has facilitated a year-round tick problem.”
These diseases are difficult to prevent and control, the CDC warns, as insecticide resistance is growing. And only one, yellow fever, has a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The findings come just as tick season reaches it height between April and September. The CDC recommends avoiding wooded and brushy areas with tall grass and to walk in the center of trails to avoid ticks. It also says to use repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, which will provide several hours of protection. Dogs are particularly susceptible to tick bites. Officials say to check pets daily. Signs of disease may not show up until seven to 21 days later.
“The key thing is first people should realize insect repellent does work,” Sax said. “Even though it is summertime and hard to do this but when walking through areas with high grasses you should try to wear long pants and tuck them into your socks.” “Ticks love to fall on people. They don’t fly,” Sax said.