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For Immediate Release: July 17, 2003 (03-125)
Contacts:
Deanna Whitman, state Department
of Health communications 360-236-4022
Health alert: outbreak of tick-borne relapsing fever in Kittitas County
OLYMPIA ¾ The Kittitas County Health Department is working with the Washington State Department of Health in an on-going investigation of an outbreak of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) that occurred during June and July 2003. At least five people who recently stayed at a cabin in the Roslyn area of Kittitas County have suspected TBRF – none of them are residents of Kittitas County, but reside in other Washington counties and British Columbia.
TBRF is an infection caused by a bacterium, Borellia hermsii, which is carried by wild rodents and spread to humans by the bite of an infected rodent-tick that feeds at night. People bitten by these ticks are often unaware that they have been bitten. TBRF is not spread from person-to-person, and usually occurs during the summer months after exposure to rodent-ticks in rustic cabins in rural, wooded areas where rodents commonly nest.
The symptoms of TBRF usually appear about 5-15 days after the bite of an infected tick and include sudden onset of episodes of fever, headache, nausea muscle and joint pains, which lasts for 2-9 days. The episodes of fever resolve for several days, and then begin again ("relapsing" fever). A faint rash may be present during the fever periods. TBRF may be difficult for doctors to recognize, but can be treated with antibiotics. Relapses can be very serious if not treated, and may cause severe complications during pregnancy.
The current outbreak appears to be localized to a single dwelling, where the visitors noticed rodent infestation. All potentially exposed visitors to this dwelling have been contacted and educated about signs and symptoms of disease. Although there is no immediate concern that this outbreak will extend to the surrounding community, everyone in Kittitas County and Washington state residents should know how to protect themselves from TBRF. Most cases in North America are reported following exposure in rural, wooded areas in the Western U.S. and Canada. The state Department of Health receives three to eight reports of relapsing fever each year.
The best prevention strategies are those that reduce your risk of being exposed to the ticks that transmit TBRF. Cabins do not need to be obviously rodent-infected to pose a risk for TBRF:
The tick that transmits TBRF does not attach for a long time period. It painlessly bites, feeds for a couple of hours and detaches. Ticks associated with other illness such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease may attach and feed for days. There are some simple steps to avoid tick bites: wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts; use insect repellent containing DEET (follow label instructions); and check yourself and your children for ticks.
If you do find a tick on your body, it should be removed promptly and carefully by grasping it close to the skin with tweezers. Avoid crushing the tick’s body. Because the risk for disease with tick bites is so low, antibiotics should not be given following a tick bite; however, you should call your health care provider for fever, rash, or any unusual symptoms that occur within a month after a tick bite.
More information is available on the Department of Health tick-borne disease Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WATickDiseases.htm ), or by contacting Tom Gibbs, 360-236-3060.
Kittitas County Health Department contact information: for environmental health questions, contact Lody Caldwell, 509-962-7009; and for personal health and clinical questions, contact June Shenk, 509-933-8203.
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