By Amir Mohammad
Public Health
Dr. Amir Mohammad
This month, we are pleased to welcome an Amity High School senior through the school’s Unpaid Experiential Learning Program. As part of this required internship experience, the student works under the supervision of Public Health Nurse Lynn Peckham and supported by Chief Sanitarian Brian Slugoski, gaining firsthand exposure to environmental health services and community health initiatives.
Given the increase in tick activity observed during this season, intern Kruthinimilya Nandam researched and compiled the information for this column as part of her public health learning experience at Orange Health Department.
As the weather warms and Orange residents head outdoors to enjoy our parks, trails, gardens and backyards, another seasonal visitor is becoming increasingly active: ticks. These tiny parasites may be easy to overlook, but they can carry serious diseases that pose significant health risks to Connecticut residents.
Connecticut remains one of the most tick-dense states in the nation. Surveillance conducted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station continues to show high populations of disease-carrying ticks and the expanding presence of newer tick species throughout the state.
The most common tick found in Connecticut is the black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick. This species is of greatest public health concern because it can transmit several illnesses, including Lyme disease and babesiosis.
Other ticks found in our region include the American dog tick, which is active primarily during the spring and summer and can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Less commonly encountered species, such as the lone star tick, Asian longhorned tick, and Gulf Coast tick, have also been identified in Connecticut and are expanding their geographic range.
Most residents are familiar with Lyme disease, which is caused by a bacterium transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache and the characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash, although not everyone develops a rash. Fortunately, Lyme disease can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics when diagnosed early.
A lesser known but equally important disease is babesiosis, which has become increasingly common in Connecticut, particularly in shoreline communities. Babesiosis is caused by a microscopic parasite that infects red blood cells, like the parasite responsible for malaria. Unlike Lyme disease, babesiosis typically does not cause a rash. Instead, symptoms often resemble the flu and may include fever, chills, fatigue, sweats and body aches. Severe infections can lead to anemia, jaundice, dark urine, breathing difficulties and in some cases hospitalization. Individuals over age 50, those without a spleen and people with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk for serious complications.
The good news is that tick-borne illnesses are largely preventable. When spending time outdoors, use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET, wear long sleeves and long pants when possible and tuck pant legs into socks when hiking through wooded or grassy areas. Clothing and gear can also be treated with permethrin for added protection.
After spending time outdoors, perform a thorough tick check on yourself, your children and your pets. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help remove unattached ticks, and placing clothing in a hot dryer for at least 10 minutes can kill ticks that may be hiding in fabric.
If you discover an attached tick, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting or crushing the tick. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol and monitor it for symptoms over the following several weeks.
Residents who wish to have a tick identified or tested may submit specimens to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Information about specimen submission is available through the Orange Environmental Health Department at Town Hall or directly through CAES.
By taking simple preventive measures and recognizing early symptoms of tick-borne illnesses, we can continue to enjoy the outdoors while protecting ourselves and our families from these tiny but potentially dangerous creatures. Feel free to give us a call for any questions at 203-974-8500.
Dr. Amir Mohammad is the director of the Orange Health Department.