What are some pieces of information that you should get when investigating a potential animal exposure, and why is this info significant?
Animal involved (species, wild vs domestic, vaccine status? Acess to animal?) -Rabies is more common in certain species than others, and domestic animals are usually very low risk, especially if their vaccines are up to date. if you can access an animal for observation or testing, that also reduces risk.
Severity of exposure (bite vs scratch, did it break the skin?)
-A bite poses a higher risk of transmission because saliva is what contains viral particles. Exposures that don’t involve broken skin are super low risk
Geographic location (endemic area?) -Certain areas have more rabies, and certain countries have none
-Personal details (vaccinated against rabies? Already received rPEP? weight of victim)
if someone has received rPEP before, they get fewer doses the second time. also you need someone’s weight to know how much RIG to give them
What are some diseases associated with American Dog Ticks?
Rocky mountain spotted fever (bacteria: Rickettsia rickettsii)
Tularemia (bacteria: Francisella tularensis)
Is Lyme disease treatable?
Yes, with antibiotics, but some people have ongoing symptoms after treatment. Full recovery is more likely when treatment starts early
What tips would you give someone who wants to remove a tick that is attached to their body, and why?
- Remove ticks as soon as possible; the longer they are attached, the more risk of bacteria being transmitted
- use tweezers and pull the tick straight back and away from the skin, so that it can be removed in one piece
- avoid squeezing the tick to prevent bacteria entering the body
- do not burn the tick, or use chemicals or liquids. This could hurt you and cause more bacteria to be released
- clean the bite site with soap and water to remove any bacteria
What are the 3 stages of Lyme disease?
1-Early Localized (incubation: 3-30 days)
bulls-eye rash that slowly expands, fatigue, stiff neck, joint pain, fever, headache
2-Early Disseminated (weeks to months after exposure)
fever, conjunctivitis, memory loss, interrupted sleep, mood swings, and numbness in extremities (sometimes feels like bad flu)
3-Late Disseminated (chronic Lyme)
chronic arthritis, irregular heart rhythm, brain infection, seizures, and skin ailments
What are the 3 different manifestations of WNV symptoms?
1- no symptoms: most people show no symptoms of WNV
2- febrile illness (fever): other symptoms such as headache, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. most people make a full recovery, but can continue to feel tired or weak for months
3-Severe symptoms: rare, but some people develop nervous symptoms like encephalitis, or meningitis.
other symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.\
- people over 60, or with medical conditions (cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension) and people with organ transplants are at higher risk of severe symptoms.
- 1 in 10 people who develop illness affecting their nervous system will die
Diseases in Canada spread by Ticks
- Lyme Disease
- Tularemia
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Powassan virus
- Colorado Tick Fever
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
Name 3 diseases spread by Mosquitoes, which are a current concern for Canada and 4 others that are concerns globally
Canada:
WNV
Eastern Equine encephalitis virus
Western Equine encephalitis virus
St. Louis Encephalitis Virus
Fun fact about Equine viruses: Birds and rodents are the primary reservoirs, but unvaccinated horses are particularly susceptible and often serve as sentinels.
Outside of Canada:
Zika Virus
Yellow Fever
Malaria
Dengue Fever
Japanese Encephalitis
Tell me about Babesiosis
- Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells
- Babesia microti is transmitted by the bite of infected blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis)
- Can be transmission from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery.
- tick must stay attached to a person for more than 36–48 hours to be able to transmit the parasite
Symptoms:
1. Most people are asymptomatic
2. Some people develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue.
3. In more severe cases, babesiosis can cause hemolytic anemia (from the destruction of red blood cells).
At risk: Elderly and Immunocompromised
Tell me about Anaplasmosis
- bacterium: Anaplasma phagocytophilum
- Spread by blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus).
Early signs and symptoms (days 1-5) are usually mild or moderate and may include: fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches
Rarely, if treatment is delayed or if there are other medical conditions present, anaplasmosis can cause severe illness.
Signs and symptoms of severe (late stage) illness can include: Respiratory failure, Bleeding problems, Organ failure, Death
- The tick must be attached at least 12-24 hours to transmit the bacteria
What do you know about Powassans Virus?
- Virus transmitted by blacklegged ticks
- tick can transmit POW virus while being attached to a person for as little as 15 minutes
The majority do not have symptoms. Initial symptoms (1 week- 1 month after bite) can include: Fever, Headache, Vomiting, Weakness
Symptoms of severe disease can include: Encephalitis, Meningitis, Confusion, Loss of coordination, Difficulty speaking, Seizures
No treatment, only supportive
