Woodtick time is here again
For most people, they are the creepiest, nastiest of all outdoor pests. The little creatures have the ability to instantly turn a not-so-nimble person into a world-class contortionist and cause the same to scream words never before heard on this planet. It is the season of the woodtick.
The cantankerous crawlers have been reported at all points in the state for the past several weeks. Ahead is the lengthy Memorial Day weekend, a time on the calendar that is synonymous with the official beginning of the camping season. The woodticks are waiting and they’ve got a few new surprises too.
The latest spooky virus known to be carried by the lowly woodtick is Powassan. It’s rare, to be sure, but a few cases have already been documented in neighboring Minnesota and Wisconsin. About 15 percent of those people bitten by woodticks carrying Powassan do not survive. Those who do survive have a 50-50 chance of suffering long-term neurological damage. Fortunately, the deadly virus has yet to be confirmed in North Dakota.
“It’s getting closer,” said Laura Cronquist, epidemiologist and division of disease control for the State Health Department. “There’s a probability that physicians are not really testing for it.”
However, that does not necessarily mean Powassan hasn’t already arrived in the state. Cronquist says it is probably only a matter of time before someone is diagnosed with Powassan in North Dakota.
While deadly Powassan certainly raises the awareness of the havoc a tiny woodtick can cause, there are other diseases that those bitten by woodticks are more likely to encounter. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are among the most well known. Getting infected with either one is not good.
“You can have joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, chills, headaches, fever, rashes,” said Cronquist.
Fever and headaches are the most common symptoms. Sometimes a rash will be present too, but not always. Some diseases can be transmitted from ticks to humans within an hour or two. Symptoms take a few days to develop, often causing infected persons to believe they are coming down with the flu.
Prevention is the key, says Cronquist. She recommends people use Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellent when going outdoors, such as when camping or hiking. There’s a few other recommendations to help keep woodticks away.
“Hikers should walk in the middle of the trail, not in the grass and brush where you are more likely to find woodticks,” advises Cronquist.
Woodtick checks should be performed on a regular basis. Placing clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes will kill woodticks attached to clothing. A person who suspects they have been exposed to woodticks should bathe or shower as soon as possible after returning home from an outing.
“Don’t forget about your pets,” said Cronquist. “They can carry woodticks into your car or your house. I can’t really recommend any preventive measures, but I do advise that you check with your veterinarian.”
Reduce woodtick encounters by:
®Use EPA-registered insect repellent.
®Use products that contain permethrin on clothing and tents.
®Wear light colored clothing to expose ticks.
®Wear long pants tucked into your socks.
®Keep your shirt tucked in.
®Examine gear and pets for woodticks.
Source: ND Dept. of Health