[MDOsprey] summary of reponses on tick ID after birding Huntley Meadows
Robert Weiner (rweiner@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu)
Fri, 16 Jul 1999 16:46:58 -0400 (EDT)
cybirders,
thanks so much for your advice in response to my post yesterday morning
regarding tick bites received after birding Huntley Meadows Park (HMP).
I've received over 20 responses in one day, plus some interest in the
issue of precautions against lyme disease, of obvious concern to birders
in the area. I will try to summarize the messages, although not
surprisingly, some of them are contradictory.
1. the bites definitely came from a deer tick, which can carry lyme
disease.
2. deer ticks are common in the wooded area of HMP. If you go off-trail,
check yourself very carefully for ticks (our group, part of a Wild Bird
Center walk, went off-trail to look for a singing scarlet tanager).
3. Deer ticks do not fly, jump, or even drop; you must contact one
directly. Most likely in my case is the japanese stilt grass that has
been discussed here lately (yet one more reason to love it!)
4. The fraction of deer ticks carrying the bacteria that causes lyme
varies substantially geographically. Lyme is more common as you go further
north. for example, in Maryland there were about 650 reported cases in
1998, and about 500 in 1997. In Virginia, there were about 70 cases in
each year (no advice regarding birding in Maryland vs. ??? is intended!).
5. This year there have been 2 reported cases of Lyme likely contracted in
HMP. the info about the Park itself is most helpful, and comes from Eric
Hynes, a naturalist there. Eric told me that he has been bitten numerous
times while working off-trail, and has never experienced any Lyme
symptoms. If you are aware of anyone who has been treated for Lyme after
visiting HMP, you might wish to contact him: <sawwhet28@hotmail.com>
6. If the tick is not engorged (mine wasn't even embedded), the chance of
contracting Lyme is small, even if you have been bitten.
7. It is advisable to save the tick. If you develop flu-like symptoms
(and typically, but not always a circular rash), have it tested for the
presence of disease-causing bacteria. However, there are no labs in the
area that perform the test, nor is the test completely accurate.
8. antibiotics (especially amoxicillin and doxycycline) are usually
effective against lyme. the main controversy is whether to take these
antibiotics prophylactically, or to wait for symptomatic evidence, which
can take several days to several weeks to develop. there is no effective
diagnostic test.
9. there are several useful websites which provide further info. Some are
aimed at a general audience, some at doctors. The latter reveal how
little is known about lyme!
http://www.aldf.com
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/6772/lyme.html
http://www.LymeNet.org/
anything you read on the web or listserve, of course, should be taken with
a grain of salt, including this message; I'm a birder, not a doctor...
For now I am monitoring and holding on to the tick as a souvenir. Hope
this is helpful.
rob
Robert Weiner (rweiner@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu)
George Washington University
Washington DC 20052
202 994 5981