PEST MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION, FORT GORDON, GEORGIA, 11-15 JUNE 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. 16-62-0509-91 FORT GORDON FORT GORDON, GEORGIA 11-15 JUNE 1990 1. REFERENCES. See Appendix A. 2. AUTHORITY. The scheduling of this study was based on AEHA Form 250, Request for USAEHA Field Services, 15 March 1989. 3. PURPOSE. a. To characterize the tick fauna in frequently utilized troop training sites and recreational sites on Fort Gordon as determined by drag cloth surveys, small mammal trapping and carbon dioxide trapping. b. To determine the prevalence of infection of indigenous tick species harboring the spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi), the causative agent of Lyme Disease (LD). c. To evaluate the existing risk of LD exposure to personnel at Fort Gordon and to offer recommendations on tick surveillance, control and methods of reducing human exposure to LD. 4. GENERAL. a. Study. This study was conducted by CPT Joan Davis, Entomologist, SSG Cheryl Whittern and SPC Stephen Bell, Preventive Medicine (PVNTMED) Technicians, Entomological Sciences Division, United States Army Environmental Hygiene Activity - South (USAEHA-S), Fort McPherson, Georgia. Study site Points of Contact were LTC Moore and SPC Bobbet, PVNTMED Service (Svc), Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia. b. Background. To date, there have been no LD cases from Fort Gordon reported to this Agency. However, ticks infested with B. burgdorferi have been found on a variety of military installations. Although data is not available for 1990, 776 cases of LD were reported in 1989, in Georgia. Lyme disease appears to be on the uprise in Georgia. The distinction is difficult to make due to the paucity of historical data. Personnel exposed to infected ticks during ourdoor occupational or recreational activities or via contact with tick infested animals, may be at risk. The medical threat to the military and civilian population on Fort Gordon is greatly increased during the warm weather months when ticks are most active. c. Habitat Assessment. The predominant vegetation type at Fort Gordon is pine/scrub oak. There are also significant areas of bottomland, hardwood environment. Ixodes spp. prefer the higher humidity of this lusher habitat. Therefore, human contact with Ixodes spp. may be reduced when activities are limited to drier areas. A variety of areas were surveyed but, no Ixodes spp. were collected during the June 1990 survey. 5. METHODS. Tick drag areas were selected based on troop training site activity, degree of human use and selection of idealized habitat preference. Tick drags were conducted in accordance with FM 8-250. Specimens were removed from the drag cloth, placed in a 10 dram vial with a blade of grass and held at 40 degrees F for transport to the USAEHA-S's Entomological Laboratory. Following identification, the mid-gut contents of each tick were processed by indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) to determine the presence/absence of B. burgdorferi. The IFA's were conducted in accordance with the Armed Forces Pest Management Board Technical Information Memorandum No. 26. Sherman [Registered] traps were placed in line at 3 meter intervals and located in recreation and troop training areas. Sixty traps were placed and checked daily for 3 days. They were baited with either sardines and oats or peanut butter and oats. ------------ [Registered] Sherman is a registered trademark of Sherman, H.B., Trap Inc, P.O. Box 20267, Tallahassee, LF 32316. 6. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION. A total of 193 Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick) and seven Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) were collected in drag samples and carbon dioxide (CO2) traps. Six ticks tested positive for B. burgdorferi (Appendix B). The IFA's indicated a significant difference in occurrence of the spirochete between adults and immature ticks (Appendix C). None of the adults were positive for the LD spirochete, but a larva and five nymphs were positive for the organism. None of the D. variabilis were tested. Nine rodents were captured with no ticks found on any trapped specimen. There were three Peromyscus spp., four Reithodontomys spp. and two cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus. 7. CONCLUSIONS. Strong emphasis should be placed on personal protection measures. Recording tick bite information and sending it along with the tick for further identification to this Activity will be helpful for identification of potential disease organisms. While chemical measures are not needed at this time, an integrated approach to tick management is best. 8. 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. Health Services Command. (1) [6] Emphasize public awareness programs to educate troops, dependents, civilian employees and visitors on personal protective measures and LD. A fact sheet on LD is provided at the Appendix B. It is impossible to perform any type of comprehensive treatment that will eliminate LD, therefore public awareness is essential and will provide the best measure of protection (AR 420-76, para 2-4-2-6, and 3-2; AR 40-5, para 10-7b). (2) [6] Report all confirmed and suspected cases of LD in soldiers and civilian beneficiaries by special telegraphic report (RCS MED-16 and AR 40-5, para 4). (3) [6] Veterinary Medical Service, Fort Gordon personnel should be aware that a variety of pets as well as wildlife species have been implicated in the maintenance of the LD spirochete. All ticks collected from pets should be forwarded, alive, to this Activity for IFA. Specific details may be obtained by calling USAEHA-S, DSN 572-2564 or Commercial (404) 752-2564. (4) [6] Identify high risk locations in cantonment/training areas via dragging and tick assay for B. burgdorferi. Dragging will yield best results if performed in spring or summer when ticks are most active. Use signs, DA poster 40-5, July 1990), to identify high risk areas on post [AR 420-76, para 2-4f, 2-6a(1); AR 40-5, para 10-7]. (5) [6] Continue to send all live ticks obtained during flagging or trapping, along with those removed from people or pets, to this Activity for IFA processing to determine the presence/absence of the LD spirochete. Specific directions for containerizing and shipping ticks may be obtained by calling USAEHA-S, DSN 572-2564 or Commercial (404) 752-2564 or 2578. b. TRADOC. (1) [6] Encourage personnel to avoid the use of high tick population habitats identified by PVNTMED Service (Svc). Where high tick areas can't be avoided, reduce tick habitat through the removal of low vegetation and leaf/tree litter or other methods suggested in TIM 26. Prior to habitat modification, verify that treatment is actually needed by requesting PVNTMED Svc surveys (AR 420-76, para 2-5k, and 3-5; AR 40-5, para 10-7c). (2) *Use integrated pest management control techniques where feasibile to reduce dependency on chemical control of ticks. Prepare contingency plans for pesticidal treatment of high-use areas in the event that nonchemical (habitat modification) techniques fail to provide adequate control (AR 200-1, para 5-5b; AR 40-5, para 10-7c). (3) *Stock Permanone [Registered] and insect repellent for distribution. Emphasize tick habitat avoidance and the proper wearing of clothing and use of repellents. The national stock numbers are as follows: (a) Permonone, NSN 6840-01-278-1336, box of 12 cans $36.99. (b) 3M [Registered] Insect Repellent, NSN 6840-01-284-3982, box of 12 tubes, $29.30. [signature] JOAN DAVIS CPT, MS 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. [Registered] 3M is a registered trademark of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., St. Paul, MN 55133-3053. 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 A REFERENCES 1. AR 40-5, 15 October 1990, Preventive Medicine. 2. AR 40-400, 1 October 1983, Report of Selected Conditions, Patient Administration. 3. AR 420-76, 3 June 1986, Pest Management. 4. USAFSAM-SR-89-2, September 1989, Ticks and Tickborne Diseases Affecting Military Personnel. 5. TIM No. 26, Lyme Disease Vector Surveillance and Control. 6. FM 8-250, Preventive Medicine Specialist. 7. Lyme Disease Surveillance Summary. Bacterial Zoonosis Branch Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases. Center for Infectious Diseases. Centers for Disease Control. Vol. 90-1: No. 1, 31 May 1990. APPENDIX B IMMUNOFLUORESCENT ANTIBODY ASSAY BY AMBLYOMMA AMERICANUM INSTAR FORT GORDON, GEORGIA 11-15 JUNE 1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adult Female Male Nymph Larvae ------ ----- ---------- --------- + - + - + - + - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0 15 0 14 5 157 1 1 --------------- ---------- --------- % positive 0.0 3.2 50.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- APPENDIX C RESULTS OF IMMUNOFLUORESCENT ASSAYS OF THE MIDGUT CONTENTS OF TICKS COLLECTED AT FORT GORDON Sites - + Tick Instar +'s ----- -------- --------------- WWTP 2 Mirror Lake 4 2 Nymph/larva TA 41 4 TA 42 25 1 Nymph TA 43 8 Leitner Lake SE 79 3 Nymph CPT Davis 5 SPC Bell 3 Scout Lake 16 Lower Leitner 10 TA 24 9 TA 23 4 Wilkerson Lake 2 Stables 4 Leitner Lake NW 9 Van 1 SPC Bell's Room 1 SSG Whittern 1 ------------- Abbreviations: WWTP - Wastewater Treatment Plant TA - Traing Area APPENDIX D 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: ____________________________