Tick Tests Positive For Spotted Fever In O.C (Aliso & Wood Canyon Park)

[denmother]

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_092221624.html
Apr 2, 2007 7:12 pm US/Pacific
Tick Tests Positive For Spotted Fever In O.C.

(CBS) SANTA ANA, Calif. A tick collected in an Aliso Viejo park tested positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which was last confirmed as a human case in Orange County 15 years ago, an official said Monday.

The Pacific Coast Tick was collected in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park on Jan. 29 as part of an ongoing surveillance program and submitted to the California Department of Health Services, Michael Hearst of Orange County Vector Control said.

The testing was performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and results reported to the district on Friday, Hearst said.

The finding will probably lead to increased testing, which is done by dragging a flannel cloth funnel across grasses, picking up ticks that attach themselves, Hearst said.

While Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is rare, it can be fatal in three percent to seven percent of the cases. It is diagnosed mainly based on symptoms, which include fever, headache, muscle aches and nausea. The diagnostic symptom is a rash that can cover much of the body, including the palms and soles of the feet, Hearst said.

However, the rash may not appear in about 10 percent of the cases, which can leave the disease undetected, he said.

The tick carrying the bacteria is one of two common species in Orange County. The other is the American Dog Tick, he said.

There is no effective way to control ticks, but people can wear a repellent. Permethrin based products are more effective against ticks than DEET, which is usually recommended for protection against mosquitoes.

Light-colored clothing will make ticks more visible, and careful inspection every two or three hours while outdoors is called for in any tick-infested area. A thorough check at the end of the activity will go a long way towards reducing the likelihood of being bitten by an infected tick and contracting the disease, Hearst said.

The disease is characterized by sudden onset of moderate to high fever, which persists for two or three weeks in untreated cases. Other symptoms are malaise, deep muscle pain, severe headaches, chills and conjunctival infection, he said.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. )

[dstepper]

Great! Ticks, Poison Oak and Rattlesnakes...no wonder I like high altitude rides.

Thanks for the headsup.

Staying on the fireroads...Dean

[Wrecker]

A few months ago, I had heard about a case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. I think he had said he had usually riden in the Aliso and Blackstar areas..."Cheddar" had posted it on the Trail Angels site on January 15th.

To plagerize a fellow rider from that post:
----- Original Message ----- From: Gregg Howard

Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 8:46 PM





[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Sorry to hear this as John is a great guy and a musician as well (guitarist).... and yes, this can happen to nice guys! [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]FYI: Here's what I know about Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever:[/SIZE][/FONT]
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial infection that's transmitted to people by tick bites. RMSF occurs most often during months when ticks are active - usually in the spring and summer, between April and early September. Although RMSF is most common in the southeastern states (Virginia, Georgia, and the Carolinas), it occurs along the entire East Coast northward to Massachusetts, and also westward into Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. All parts of the United States aren't equally affected by RMSF, but at least one case of the illness has been reported in almost every state.
The bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii that cause an RMSF infection are carried by the dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in the eastern United States and by the wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) in the Rocky Mountain states. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is also, rarely, a carrier in the West.
Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of RMSF may follow within 1 to 14 days of a tick bite. But in many cases, someone who develops the infection doesn't remember being bitten by a tick.
Symptoms of RMSF usually begin suddenly. There is a high fever - often 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) - with chills, muscle aches, and a severe headache. Eyes may become red, muscles may be tender to the touch, and there may be abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and fatigue.

The rash that makes RMSF a "spotted" fever may begin anytime between 1 to 10 days after the fever and headache start, but it most often appears on the third to fifth day. The rash looks like small red spots or blotches that begin on the wrists, ankles, palms, and soles. It spreads up the arms and legs toward the trunk, but often spares the face. As the RMSF infection progresses, the original red spots may change appearance to look more like bruises or bloody dots or patches under the skin.
Rarely, RMSF may cause mild symptoms and, occasionally, the characteristic rash is absent. But usually, it causes a moderate to severe illness that can damage many organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs. Before antibiotic treatment was available, about 20% to 30% of people with the infection would die. But antibiotics have helped to decrease much of the suffering and danger resulting from the infection.
Contagiousness

RMSF is not contagious from person to person.
It's caused by an infection with bacteria that infect humans through tick bites. The longer a tick stays attached to the skin, the greater the chance of infection. Several hours of attachment are usually necessary.
Crushing a tick with your fingers can also transmit the infection to you if tick juices enter your body through a cut or other broken skin on your finger. This is why it's important to never crush a tick with your fingers while removing it.
Prevention

RMSF can be prevented by avoiding tick-infested areas. If your child must enter these areas, have him or her wear light-colored clothing that makes ticks more visible if they get onto your child. Your child should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and the pant legs should be tucked into your child's socks. Check for ticks on your child's body several times each day and before going to bed. Don't overlook some of their favorite hiding places - on the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, on the ankles, and in the genital area. Use an insect repellent that works against ticks, being careful to follow label directions.
So, as Roger says, check yourself regularly when you're riding in tall grassy places and thru thick shrubbery... like Limestone Canyon.
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Old Man Riding.... watching out for ticks![/SIZE][/FONT]

[Waldo]

The latest trend in riding gear at Aliso:

[Keith B]

I'm liking it - is the helmet by Giro?!

[Kid A]

originally coming from the east coast i have alot of friends that got lyme disease. not so much fun either. i "learned" to always check myself for ticks right after ride. haven't done so in years...guess the good old days are back

[Pain Freak]

Great I'm a freekin Tick magnet. I'm always the first to get them and I usually get more then anyone else. I need to remember to check better after a ride.

[Winger]

I've started spraying myself with bug spray before rides. I get joy thinking that a tick will be in a world of hurt when he tries to hitch a ride from me.

During the last 4 rides, someone in my group has found a tick on them, not attached. I found one on my arm last night and that sucker was small....looked like a freckle.

[CalEpic]

This is freaking me out a little. I normally am not too concerned about ticks. I find them on me and swat them off. After seeing this on the news the other night I vowed to check myself more closely for ticks during rides. Today Kentonn and I were riding El Moro and Laguna Coast and I must have swatted close to a dozen off me. Two of the little bastards were starting to bite and dig in before I knocked them off. As it warmed up it seemed as though I stopped picking them up. I'm not sure if that's a coincidence or not.

C

[Burner]

if you're following someone down the trail you are more likely to get them than if you are in the lead.

the first rider down the trail causes vibrations that wake them up into 'ready' mode, so that they head up to the tip of the plants and put their little arms out to grab the next thing coming down the trail. so I've heard anyway.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by Burner

if you're following someone down the trail you are more likely to get them than if you are in the lead.

the first rider down the trail causes vibrations that wake them up into 'ready' mode, so that they head up to the tip of the plants and put their little arms out to grab the next thing coming down the trail. so I've heard anyway.

Great...so dead last will be dead first. I'm toast.

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by Burner

if you're following someone down the trail you are more likely to get them than if you are in the lead.

the first rider down the trail causes vibrations that wake them up into 'ready' mode, so that they head up to the tip of the plants and put their little arms out to grab the next thing coming down the trail. so I've heard anyway.

I thought it was CO2 that they sensed.
I don't freak about them too much anymore. I just do a thorough check after a ride.

[gurp13]

They make sprays that you can put on your socks and shoes that would kill the ticks. You can't apply it to skin, though.

Permethrin

This would do the trick. On bare skin, you should use something deet based. Personally, I've used Repel, a lemon and eucalyptus lotion. Worked against mosquitos for sure and I haven't seen ticks, so...

[Pain Freak]

I've got more ticks in the western part of Orange County then any other place. I tend to get even more when doing trail maintenance. I've been almost bug free when I use one of those all natural bug repellents. I can't remember the name but I believe it's from Off.

[Chopper]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Great I'm a freekin Tick magnet. I'm always the first to get them and I usually get more then anyone else. I need to remember to check better after a ride.

Finally, a real reason to shave those legs.

[Winston]

Doublewide ain't afraid of no spotted fever!

[PHAT TIRE]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

This is freaking me out a little. I normally am not too concerned about ticks. I find them on me and swat them off. After seeing this on the news the other night I vowed to check myself more closely for ticks during rides. Today Kentonn and I were riding El Moro and Laguna Coast and I must have swatted close to a dozen off me. Two of the little bastards were starting to bite and dig in before I knocked them off. As it warmed up it seemed as though I stopped picking them up. I'm not sure if that's a coincidence or not.

C

Johnny Dirt and I picked off a few there too.

[m210]

is everyone picking all these off tics off doing hike-a-bikes and riding on illegal, over-grown trails? i dont see how everyone is picking these up - we havent seen a tic except for on the way to old camp once....
even still i know guys who do nothing but hike-a-bikes and stay clean of them year round.
what gives?

[ka0t1c07]

its the type of sweat that attracts them to you, I think

[mytrustysteed]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

Johnny Dirt and I picked off a few there too.

Oh crap and I was going to ride there tomorrow too.