For Immediate Release:
June 29, 2006

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Fourth of July Perfect Time to Remember, Practice Summer Protection Against Ticks and Mosquitoes

As Missourians prepare for the July 4 holiday, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) urges everyone to remember to plan for protection against ticks and mosquitoes during outdoor activities now and through the late fall and early winter. Ticks can carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme and Lyme-like disease, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia, while mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Though risk is low, these diseases can cause serious illness and even death if precautions against bites from infected insects are not taken.

The good news is that precautions against the bugs that carry these diseases are easy and effective, according to Dr. Howard Pue, State Public Health Veterinarian. “It is very important for people to protect themselves against tick and mosquito bites every time they go outside and into areas where these bugs live. Fortunately that’s easy to do and very effective if done properly,” Pue said.

Following are simple, effective actions people can take to avoid tick and mosquito bites.
For Mosquitoes:

• Use of repellent containing DEET or picaridin is the most effective way to repel mosquitoes.  Follow label instructions when applying to bare skin areas. 
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
• Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning - peak biting times for many species of mosquitoes
• Remove trash and debris around the house and property to reduce breeding areas.
• Empty and/or freshen items that hold water (flower pots, bird baths, wading pools) every four days.
• Check and repair any holes in window and door screens.
• Clean house gutters to prevent standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

For Ticks:

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin areas as directed.
• Apply repellents with permethrin on clothing only, not directly to skin.
• Walk in the center of trails to avoid overhanging grass and brush.
• Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to see and tuck pants into socks.
• Do daily tick checks on yourself, children and pets.
• Carefully remove attached ticks immediately (see DHSS web site for details); an infected tick can pass disease through a bite in as little as four hours.

“While the overall risk of human disease from ticks and mosquitoes is relatively low, insect-borne diseases can cause serious long-term health effects and even death if not recognized and treated appropriately. We encourage people to take the simple, effective steps to protect themselves against bug bites that can harm them and their families, Pue said.” 
Pue added that if people think they are becoming ill after being bitten by a tick or mosquito, they are urged to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Flu-like symptoms in the summer probably do not indicate influenza and the person should seek medical care as soon as symptoms appear. 

In 2005, there were 17 cases of Lyme disease, 128 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and 41 cases of ehrlichiosis. There were also 30 cases of West Nile virus, and three of these were fatal.

More information on diseases carried by ticks and mosquitoes can be accessed on the DHSS web site at www.dhss.mo.gov.