For Immediate Release:
June 6, 2007

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

Public health officials warn Missourians about tick-borne disease
Northeast Missouri child dies from tick-related illness

State public health officials are urging Missourians to protect themselves from tick bites following the recent death of a Northeast Missouri child from a tick-borne disease.

The child, who became ill after apparently being bitten by a tick, received intensive medical care but died May 23, about 10 days after symptoms initially appeared. Tests performed at St. Louis Children’s Hospital indicate the child was infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a disease related to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to State Public Health Veterinarian Howard Pue, D.V.M.

“Serious complications from ehrlichiosis are rare, but a death like this - of an otherwise healthy child - is a solemn reminder of the importance of avoiding tick bites to reduce the risk of getting a tick-borne disease,” Pue said.  “The risk of serious tick-borne disease is low for most people, but early symptoms are difficult to distinguish from other infectious and noninfectious diseases.”

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has received increased reports this year of several tick-borne diseases. Sixteen cases of ehrlichiosis have been reported so far, compared to an average of nine cases per year for the same time period over the past five years. In addition, 54 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever have been reported so far, compared to an average of 22 cases per year for the same time period over the past five years. Other tick-borne diseases reported in Missouri this year include two cases of tularemia and 10 cases of Lyme-like disease.

“While some of these cases are still under investigation or in various stages of testing, we are concerned about the large number of tick-borne disease reports we have received this year,” Pue said.

Missouri State Epidemiologist Bao Ping Zhu, M.D., hopes Missouri physicians will heed the importance of this spring’s unexpectedly high number of tick-borne disease reports.

“These reports appear to indicate increased tick activity for 2007,” said Dr. Zhu.  “Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia can be life-threatening, and diagnosis can be very difficult.”

Because tick-borne illnesses cannot be quickly diagnosed through testing, treatment decisions must be based on clinical evidence and the likelihood of tick exposure, according to Zhu.

"The best way Missourians can protect themselves is to avoid tick bites and become more aware of the symptoms of tick-borne diseases," Pue said.  "If you have been bitten by a tick and experience a sudden fever, headache, rash, achy muscles, nausea, vomiting or general body discomfort, you should contact your physician for evaluation.”

Tick-borne diseases can be effectively treated with appropriate antibiotics, especially when caught at an early stage, Pue added.

People can protect themselves from tick bites by:

• Avoiding areas with lots of ticks – walk in the center of trails to avoid overhanging grass and brush.
• Keeping ticks off your skin – apply a repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET and read the label to make sure you are using it correctly. Wearing light-colored clothing that makes ticks easier to see and tucking your pants into your socks also can help.
• Performing tick checks – remove ticks from your clothes before going inside, disposing of them in a sealed plastic bag or other container. Check your body and your child’s body for ticks after being outdoors, even in your own yard.

Pue urges parents to educate themselves about the safety of using insect repellents containing DEET on their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks and mosquitoes. Thirty percent DEET is the maximum amount currently recommended by the AAP for children over two months of age. DEET should not be used on infants under 2 months of age.

For more information about tick-borne disease prevention, visit http://www.dhss.mo.gov/TicksCarryDisease/.  Additional materials are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases, at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/list_tickborne.htm.