JULY 2007 LOSS CONTROL, TICKS, LYME DISEASE

As promised, we will continue to share information that we find interesting with our customers, suppliers, and friends.

Acadia Insurance, who underwrites our worker's compensation policy, has asked us to remind our crews to be aware of ticks and Lyme disease. Our crews are encouraged to take precautions against tick bites and to do a tick check daily. This is Loren's favorite job. Visit our web site to see our safety training.

The reported cases of Lyme disease in New Hampshire jumped from 271 in 2005 to 617 last year according to the NH Division of Public Health Services. Most of these cases were recorded in the southeast corner of the state in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. Lyme disease is caused by a bite from a Blacklegged Tick infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferiand and is treatable in its early stages. If untreated, infection can spread to the joints, the heart and the nervous system with long term effects. Always check with your health care provider if you suspect being bit by a tick. Other varieties of ticks do live in NH, but the Blacklegged tick, also known as the Deer Tick, is the only known species to carry Lyme disease. The nymphs are active from May through Mid-July and are hard to spot since they are usually the size of a sesame seed. An adult Blacklegged tick will be active in the fall when it is looking for a last meal before laying eggs. Blacklegged ticks have a two-year life cycle. That is, it takes two years for one egg-adult-egg generation to evolve. Therefore, Blacklegged ticks can be found all year long, including wintertime.

There are various symptoms associated with a tick bite and reactions can vary from person to person. If you are outside near your woodpile, stonewalls, high grass or brush, perform a tick check on family members at the end of the day as this will greatly reduce the risk of a tick bite. Also, remember to check your pets for ticks and consult your vet if you notice unusual behavior. At www.thepetcenter.com/gen/lyme there is an article about Lyme disease and dogs. A tick bite is required to transmit the disease because the bacterium is injected into the skin via tick saliva as the tick sucks blood. The infection is not transmitted from pet to pet nor from pet to owner only via an infected tick bite, and not all ticks are infected. If the tick is not removed properly you may force the infection into your skin. There are many websites available with information about Lyme disease and ticks. We found the NHDHHS, UNH Extension and the CDC to have extensive information on identification of ticks and precautions to take.

Photo on right is a nymph Blacklegged Tick.

Your friends in the forest,

Fort Mountain Companies