Mosquito and Tick-borne Infections
Summary
As Connecticut experiences warmer temperatures and longer active seasons for ticks and mosquitoes, CHPCA reminds residents to take precautions against Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus, West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and the emerging alpha-gal syndrome caused by lone star tick bites. Climate change is expanding the range and activity season of disease-carrying insects.
Key Messages - Prevention
Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET (20-30%), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE). Follow label directions carefully. OLE is not recommended for children under 3 years.
Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes; tuck pants into socks when in grassy or wooded areas. Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
Treat clothing and gear with permethrin (do not apply directly to skin). Pre-treated clothing is available. (Permethrin is highly toxic to cats. Keep cats away from wet permethrin until fully dry and ventilated.)
Perform full body tick checks after outdoor activities, especially on children and pets. Check hair, behind ears, armpits, groin, behind knees, between toes.
Shower within 2 hours of coming indoors to wash off unattached ticks.
Eliminate standing water around your home to reduce mosquito breeding (flower pots, buckets, bird baths, gutters, tarps).
Install or repair window and door screens.
During peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn), limit outdoor activities or take extra precautions.
How to Remove a Tick Safely
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to skin surface as possible. (https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/communication-resources/tick-bite-bot-1.html)
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk. Mouthparts left in skin are normal and will heal.
Clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol after removal.
Save the tick in a sealed bag or container with rubbing alcohol if you develop symptoms (for possible identification).
Do NOT use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove ticks, these methods are ineffective and may increase disease transmission.
Monitor the bite site and watch for symptoms for 30 days.
Diseases of Concern in Connecticut
Lyme Disease (most common tick-borne disease in CT):
Transmitted by blacklegged (deer) ticks
Early symptoms: Expanding bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans), fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle/joint aches
Later symptoms if untreated: Arthritis, neurological problems, heart problems
Treatable with antibiotics, especially when caught early
Other Tick-Borne Diseases:
Anaplasmosis: Fever, headache, muscle aches, typically within 1-2 weeks of tick bite
Babesiosis: Flu-like symptoms, can be severe in immunocompromised individuals
Powassan Virus: Rare but serious; can cause encephalitis
Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS): Allergic reaction to red meat and mammalian products after lone star tick bite; symptoms can include hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe anaphylaxis
Mosquito-Borne Diseases:
West Nile Virus: Most infected people have no symptoms; severe cases can cause encephalitis or meningitis
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE): Rare but very serious; high mortality rate; symptoms include sudden fever, headache, vomiting, neurological signs
When to Seek Medical Care
Fever, rash, muscle aches, or fatigue within 30 days of a tick bite
Bull's-eye or expanding rash after tick bite
Severe headache, confusion, stiff neck, or neurological symptoms
Joint pain or swelling
Allergic reaction to red meat (if recently bitten by tick)
Fever and flu-like symptoms in summer/fall when mosquitoes are active
Connecticut-Specific Information
Connecticut has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the United States. The Yale Center on Climate Change and Health reports that warming temperatures are extending the active season for ticks and expanding their geographic range. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) monitors mosquito populations and tests for viruses throughout the state. The CT DPH provides weekly updates on mosquito-borne disease activity. Local health departments can provide information on local vector activity and spraying schedules.
Local Resources
Connecticut Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
Your local health department for local surveillance data
Medical Authority Guidance
The CDC provides comprehensive guidance on tick and mosquito-borne disease prevention and treatment. The AMA Policy on Climate Change recognizes that vector-borne diseases are expanding due to climate change, and physicians should educate patients about prevention. Healthcare providers should maintain high clinical suspicion for tick-borne diseases in endemic areas, as early antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease prevents complications. Prophylactic doxycycline may be indicated for certain tick bites in endemic areas.
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