PEST MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION, FORT GORDON, GEORGIA, 17-18 NOVEMBER 1990 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Activity - South Fort McPherson, Georgia 30330-5000 [Seal of Department of Defense, United States of America] REPLY TO ATTENTION OF: HSHB-AS-P PEST MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION NO. 16-62-0528-91 FORT GORDON FORT GORDON, GEORGIA 17-18 NOVEMBER 1990 1. REFERENCES. a. AR 40-5, 15 October 1990, Preventive Medicine. b. AR 420-76, 3 June 1986, Pest Management. c. Technical Information Memorandum (TIM) No. 26, 1 March 1990, Lyme Disease Vector Surveillance and Prevention. 2. AUTHORITY. a. AEHA Form 250-R, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Veterinary Clinic, 25 October 1990. b. FONECON between LTC Bosworth, Entomologist, U.S. Army Health Services Command and LTC Palmer, Chief, Entomological Sciences Division (ESD), U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Activity - South (USAEHA-S), 29 October 1990, subject: SAB. 3. PURPOSE. To assist the Veterinary Service of Fort Gordon to assess the risk of Lyme disease to Fort Gordon personnel. This was done by examining shot deer for the tick vectors, and assaying ticks and deer blood sera for the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, IAW TIM No. 26 (reference c). 4. GENERAL. a. Personnel Contacted. CPT Livingston, and SGT Jerimier, Veterinary Services, Fort Gordon, Georgia. b. Survey Personnel. The survey was conducted by SSG Cheryl A. Whittern, Preventive Medicine (PVNTMED) Specialist, ESD, USAEHA-S, Fort McPherson, Georgia, and CPT Livingston and SGT Jerimier of the Fort Gordon Veterinary Clinic, Fort Gordon, Georgia on 17 and 18 November 1990. c. Survey Site. Fort Gordon is located in northeastern Georgia, adjacent to Augusta. 5. METHODS. a. Tick Collection. The head, ears and neck regions of eight shot deer were examined immediately before or after the aging and tagging process. The hair was stroked contrary to the natural lay, using the hand edge. Ticks were removed from the exposed skin using fine point forceps. Examination time per carcass was approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Live ticks and deer keds were delivered to ESD, USAEHA-S for assay. b. Blood Samples. Blood samples were taken by CPT Livingston or SGT Jerimier from the jugular vein or directly from the heart. Samples were retained by the Veterinary personnel for shipment to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Fort Meade, where all deer blood samples are tested. 6. RESULTS. Eight deer were shot in training areas 18, 29, 32, 34, 35, 36, 40 and 45. There were 20 adult ticks collected from 4 deer, deer keds (Hippoboscidae, parasitic flies commonly found on deer) were found on the remaining 4 deer. The primary tick found was Ixodes scapularis with 11 specimens, 7 of these were found on the deer killed in training area 18. Additionally, there were 2 Amblyomma americanum, 5 unconfirmed species, 1 Dermacentor variabilis, and 1 Ixodes sp. (not scapularis). All tick and ked specimens were tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi and were found to be negative. 7. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION. a. Evidence of ectoparasite scarring along the neck region of these deer was minimal, indicating a relatively low population of ticks at the time of the survey. Discussions with CPT Livingston revealed that very few cases of Lyme disease have occurred in pets of the area. Earlier discussions with LTC Moore of the PVNTMED Service revealed that there were only a few human cases in the area. b. Hunters were well aware of the risks and symptoms of Lyme disease. Both the Veterinary Clinic and the PVNTMED Service have provided education to personnel concerning the high risks of contracting Lyme disease through handling ticks. This information was provided through classes and through handouts. 8. CONCLUSIONS. Ixodes scapularis, and Amblyomma americanum both recognized vectors of Lyme disease, were present on deer examined during this consult at Fort Gordon. The causative agent (spirochete) for Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, was not detected in the ticks collected on site. This information, along with the scarcity of human Lyme disease cases from the area suggests that the threat to installation personnel is low. 9. RECOMMENDATIONS. Where possible, recommendations are keyed to specific report findings. The paragraph number of the associated finding is listed in brackets at the beginning of each recommendation. Recommendations identified with an asterisk (*) are not keyed to specific report findings, but were made to enhance the superior program already in place at Fort Gordon. a. HSC. (1) [7b] Continue to emphasize public awareness programs to educate soldiers, their dependents, civilian employees and visitors on personal protective measures and Lyme disease. A fact sheet on LD is provided at the Appendix. Training is most important for soldiers that may be in tick infested areas in the spring and early summer. Because it is impossible to perform any comprehensive treatment that will eliminate Lyme disease, public awareness is essential and will provide the best measure of protection (AR 420-76, para 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, and 3-2; AR 40-5, para 10-7). (2) [7a] Report all confirmed and suspected cases [e.g., suspicious febrile illnesses, arthralgias, rashes) of Lyme disease (Erythema Migrans)] by special telegraphic report [MED-16(R4)] for all soldiers and civilian beneficiaries (AR 40-5, para 4). (3) *Identify high risk foci in cantonment and training areas via tick dragging/flagging and tick assay for B. burgdorferi. Dragging and flagging should be performed in spring or summer when ticks are active. Periodic and repeated surveillance is necessary due to the sporadic distribution of ticks. Post these areas with signs (DA poster 40-5, July 1990) to warn personnel they are entering high risk areas [AR 420-76, para 2-4f, 2-6a(1) and 3-2; AR 40-5, para 10-7 and 14-2c]. (4) [7b] Submit collected tick specimens alive for identification and immunofluorescent antibody testing to ESD, USAEHA-S, Fort McPherson, GA 30330-5000 (AR 40-5, para 10-7f). b. TRADOC. (1) *Eliminate tick habitat in heavily used infested areas (e.g., wood edges along recreational areas) by removing brush and leaf litter. Tick infestation should be verified via tick dragging or flagging prior to habitat modification. Clearing should be done in low risk months (i.e., January and February) (AR 420-76, para 2-5k, 3-2c, and 3-5; AR 40-5, para 10-7). (2) *Prepare, as a contingency, to treat high-use areas with pesticides to decrease tick numbers if surveillance reveals high tick numbers and if nonchemical control techniques (e.g., brush removal, mowing, raking) do not provide adequate control (AR 420-76, para 3-3c and 4-1a). (3) *Use tick repellents prior to outdoor activities where ticks are prevalent. Permonone [Registered] Repellent (NSN 6840-01-278-1336), is used to treat the individual's clothing. Insect repellent, lotion (NSN 6840-01-284-3982) is used to treat the individual's skin. Use both for best protection. [signature] CHERYL A. WHITTERN SSG Preventive Medicine Specialist Entomological Sciences Division APPROVED: [signature] DARWIN B. PALMER, JR. LTC, MS Chief, Entomological Sciences Division -------------- [Registered] Permanone is a registered trademark of Fairfield American Corp., Rutherford, NJ 07070. Use of trademarked names does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army, but is intended only to assist in identification of a specific product. APPENDIX U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency Entomological Sciences Division [picture of tick] Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5422 FACT SHEET - PROTECTION FROM TICKS AND LYME DISEASE WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT Soldiers and other personnel and dependents who live, train, work, or play in the field, share their environment with many forms of animal and insect life. Ticks may be abundant in both wooded and grassy areas. Several tick species are vectors or "transmitters" of Lyme disease. They include the deer tick, Ixodes dammini, in the Northeast and Midwest, and the western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus, in the West. Two other species, the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum, and the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, are prevalent across the South, and are potential vectors of Lyme disease. BE CONCERNED - BUT NOT ALARMED. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, so a tick bite does not necessarily mean that disease will follow. In addition, prompt removal of a tick will lessen the chance of disease transmission. BUDDY UP When in the field, buddy up and routinely check for ticks every few hours or as frequently as possible. After returning indoors, remove your clothing and check your body carefully. Pay special attention to the hairy and/or warm, moist parts of the body. You can greatly reduce your chance of tick bite by following the DOD REPELLENT SYSTEM of wearing proper clothing and using both skin and clothing repellents: WEAR CLOTHING PROPERLY Blouse or tuck your uniform legs into your boots and wear your sleeves down. Civilians should tuck their pant legs into their socks, and their shirt into their pants. Light colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks. USE REPELLENTS Apply deet repellent, NSN 6840-01-284-3982, to any exposed skin surfaces, and apply permethrin repellent spray, NSN 6840-01-278-1336, to your uniform or field clothing. Remember that permethrin is only for use on clothing, NEVER on skin. This combined use of repellents and proper wearing of clothing will provide nearly complete protection from tick bites. IF YOU ARE BITTEN If you find a tick embedded in your skin, DO NOT SQUASH OR BURN IT. Report to medical personnel to have the tick removed, or follow these guidelines: Use tweezers to grasp the tick's mouthparts as close to the skin as possible, and pull it straight outward. Pull slowly, firmly, and steadily. Be patient. The ticks central mouthpart called the hypostome is long and covered with barbs. This can make it difficult to remove. Wash the wound site and apply an antiseptic. Save the tick either in alcohol or frozen in a pill vial or plastic bag in case symptoms arise and identification of the tick becomes necessary. BE AWARE Be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease. IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN AN AREA WHERE TICKS ARE FOUND AND YOU DEVELOP A RASH AROUND THE SITE OF THE TICK BITE OR FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS (ACHES AND PAINS, HEADACHE, FEVER, EXTREME FATIGUE), ESPECIALLY DURING THE PERIOD FROM MAY THROUGH EARLY FALL, PROMPTLY SEE A PHYSICIAN FOR EVALUATION. REMEMBER... Wear trousers inside boots and sleeves down; use skin (deet) and clothing (permethrin) repellents; check your clothing and body as frequently as possible; remove attached ticks as soon as they are discovered; seek medical attention if symptoms develop. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL: ____________________________