ADDENDUM, LYME DISEASE RISK ASSESSMENT, FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, 26 OCTOBER-11 NOVEMBER 1991 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: ADDENDUM LYME DISEASE RISK ASSESSMENT NO. 16-62-0503-92 FORT BENNING, GEORGIA 26 OCTOBER-11 NOVEMBER 1991 1. REFERENCES. a. Conference Report on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 92 and 93, House Report 102-311, 102nd Congress, 1st Session, November 1991, p.422. b. TIM No. 26, March 1990, Lyme Disease-Vector Surveillance and Control. c. TG No. 174, June 1991, Personal Protective Techniques Against Insects and Other Arthropods of Military Significance. d. USAEHA, 8 October 1991, Standard Operating Procedures for Collection of Specimens at Deer Check Stations. e. Memorandum, USAEHA, HSHB-AS-P, 5 December 1991, subject: Lyme Disease Risk Assessment No. 16-62-0503-92. 2. AUTHORITY. The scheduling of this assessment was based on AEHA Form 250, Request for USAEHA Field Services, 7 August 1991. 3. PURPOSE. The purpose of this initial risk assessment was to obtain deer serum and parasitic ticks to provide a portion of the baseline data needed in the preparation of a definitive Lyme Disease Risk Assessment for Fort Benning, Georgia. 4. GENERAL. Parasitic ticks and blood samples were obtained from hunter- killed white-tailed deer. Ticks were processed at Fort McPherson and the above mentioned report was submitted. Whole blood was processed to obtain serum which was then sent to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland for analysis. The results of these tests have been received. 5. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION. One of the 65 serological tests was positive for the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is the causal organism for Lyme disease (see Appendix G, serological results). 6. CONCLUSION. Since one of the deer was serologically positive for exposure to Lyme disease and 4 of the ticks tested positive for the Lyme spirochete, installation personnel should continue to practice personal protective measures to reduce the possible disease threat. Additional tick-borne disease risk reduction measures can be found in Appendix H. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Questions concerning these test results should be directed to MAJ Michael R. Collyer, Chief, Entomological Sciences Division at DSN 572-2564 or 572-2578. [signature] MICHAEL R. COLLYER MAJ, MS Chief, Entomological Sciences Division APPENDIX G RESULTS OF SEROLOGICAL TESTS ON WHITE-TAILED DEER FORT BENNING, GEORGIA [Data omitted by this typist - data summarized in above addendum report.] APPENDIX H TICK-BORNE DISEASE RISK REDUCTION MEASURES 1. Emphasize public awareness programs to educate installation personnel and visitors on the potential for contracting tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and on personal protective measures which can be employed to minimize these risks. The USAEHA-S can provide brochures and other display materials. An informative VHS 0.5-inch audio-visual tape entitled "Lyme Disease - A growing threat" (PIN 504494) is available from the supporting Training and Audiovisual Support Activity. Copies of a small card entitled "Tick-Borne Diseases" (U.S. Army Medical Department, 7819) make excellent handouts. Additional cards are available from USAEHA-S. 2. Submit any collected tick specimens (both field collected or ticks that have been removed from individuals) alive for identification and DFA testing to USAEHA-S, Building 180, Fort McPherson, GA 30330-5000. The USAEHA-S can provide directions and supplies for shipments of ticks. 3. Encourage individuals displaying Lyme disease symptoms such as febrile illness and rashes, to obtain prompt medical attention. 4. Stock Permethrin Arthropod Repellent (NSN 6840-01-278-1336, box of 12 cans), Insect Repellent Fabric Treatment (NSN 6840-01-334-2666, box of 12 bottles) and 3M [Trademark] Insect Repellent (NSN 6840-01-284-3982, box of 12 tubes) for distribution. Emphasize tick habitat avoidance and the proper wearing of clothing and use of repellents. 5. Identify high risk foci in cantonment areas via tick dragging/flagging, small mammal trapping, deer checks and the assaying of collected ticks for B. burgdorferi. Sampling should be performed in early summer when the ticks are active. Post DA Poster 40-5, and thereby identify high risk areas. 6. Avoid high tick population areas for troop training or recreation. Such areas can be identified by tick dragging or flagging prior to use. 7. Eliminate tick habitat in heavily used, infested areas (e.g., wooded recreation areas) by removing leaf litter and keeping grass mowed. Clearing should be performed during low-risk months (January/February) when the ticks are the least active. These measures will also discourage small mammals which may serve as hosts for the ticks. Thinning of trees and removal of brush will allow more sun penetration which will reduce the humidity level necessary for optimum tick survival. Prepare, as a contingency, to employ chemical control (use only approved pesticides) in the event that non-chemical control measures fail to reduce the tick population. 8. Follow installation professional wildlife biologist's recommendations to achieve annual deer harvest quotas in all training areas to ensure that the deer population is kept in check. Effective management of the deer population will reduce the associated tick population. --- [Trademark] 3M is a registered trademark of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., St. Paul, MN 55133. Use of trademarked name does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army but is intended only to assist in identification of a specific product.