Hunting Season Arbovirus

Hunting Season Arbovirus

School is back in session, summer is drawing to a close, and soon after Labor Day Florida’s hunters will be in the fields. But while hunters will be looking to bring home their bag limits, they will want to come home empty-handed when it comes to tickborne diseases.

Florida hosts many tick species, including the lone star, deer, and Gulf Coast ticks. The lone star is the most common human-biting tick in Florida. Florida ticks can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. A lone star tick bite can also trigger alpha-gal syndrome.

Prevention

Preventing tick bites is the best way to reduce the risk of tick-borne disease. Ticks are typically found in wooded areas or areas with long grass. Spring and summer are the most common seasons, but tickborne diseases can occur throughout the year in Florida. Ticks feed on the blood of animals and can spread diseases through their bites.

Be Smart in the Woods

To keep ticks from latching on in the first place, walk in the center of paths and trails and use insect repellent. Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of these active ingredients:

• DEET

• Picaridin

• IR3535

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)

• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)

• 2-undecanone

When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

Check Yourself

After you get off the trail, perform regular tick checks on yourself, family, and pets. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to check the entire body. Pay special attention to feet and legs, as some ticks are small enough to crawl through socks and into shoes. 

Hog Hunters Beware

In addition to ticks and mosquitoes, Florida’s hog hunters should watch for Brucella, which is in feral hogs. Hunters can become infected with Brucella when open cuts or mucous membranes contact pig blood, raw meat, or organs during the butchering process. 

Prevention

Practice good sanitation when handling feral swine or raw feral swine meat. Here are some tips:

• Avoid eating, drinking, or using tobacco when field-dressing or handling carcasses.

• Use latex or rubber gloves when handling the carcass or raw meat.

• Avoid direct contact with blood, reproductive organs, and fecal matter.

• Wearing long sleeves and eye protection, and covering any scratches, open wounds, or lesions will help provide protection.

• Clean and disinfect knives, cleaning areas, clothing, and any other exposed surfaces when finished.

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

• Cook meat from these animals to 160 degrees or until juices run clear

Symptoms

The most consistent symptom of a Brucella infection is intermittent or constant fever. Other common symptoms include headaches, chills, arthralgia (joint pain), and weight loss. If you suspect an infection after hunting contact your health care provider. You can learn more at www.floridahealth.gov