Increase in ticks, mosquitos expected Published May 11, 2017 By Jennifer A. Maddox 66th Medical Squadron Public Health HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- As you may have heard on the radio, news or even commercials, public health officials expect an increase in ticks and mosquitos throughout New England this year. The increase may result in an increase of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. There are several ways that you can protect your family from these diseases. Public Health is taking an active surveillance approach to monitor vector-borne diseases that are present on the installation. Base personnel may bring ticks to Public Health in the clinic after they have been removed from a human. Public Health will not accept ticks removed from animals. Public Health traps for mosquitoes and sends them to the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine where laboratory technicians test mosquitos for diseases common in New England, as well as testing for the Zika virus. Many of the following illnesses present flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, as well as the possibility of a skin rash. Massachusetts tick-borne diseases: Lyme diseases, Powassan virus, Babesiosis, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Massachusetts mosquito-borne diseases: West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. People can protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, scheduling outdoor activities to avoid the hours around dawn and dusk, repairing damaged window screens and removing standing water from areas around the home. At dawn and dusk, the potential is greater for mosquito bites, although some species bite during the day. Protecting yourself from ticks is slightly different. Use insect repellents, check your entire body daily and remove attached ticks promptly. It is important that this is done correctly. Pay special attention to hair, ears, armpits, belly button, groin area and the back of the knees. If you are going into areas such as forests or fields with tall grass and brush, tuck your pants into your boots or socks and shower when returning home. How to remove a tick: 1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible. 2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. 3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. 4. Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers. 5. Avoid folklore remedies such as "painting" the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, not waiting for it to detach. Public Health will document information about the tick bite and send the tick to the United States Army Public Health Command. It normally takes two weeks to get the results back. Public Health will notify the member with the results. Testing done on ticks is specific to the species of tick. If you develop flu-like symptoms and/or a rash after being bitten by a mosquito or removing an attached tick, please make an appointment with your health care provider. Additional resources: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/id/epidemiology/providers/mosquitoes-and-ticks.html For further education or questions, contact the Public Health office at 781-225-6295.