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Spring/Summer Advisory Most of us look forward to summer and time to spend outdoors enjoying the warm weather and natures beautiful bounty. However, working and spending more time outdoors also has its risks, particularly from insects, poisonous plants, too much sun and work in very hot, humid conditions. This advisory contains useful information about how to protect yourself from a number of potential issues:
Lyme Disease is caused by bacteria that live inside the deer tick. All of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania is within the "high risk" zone for ticks carrying this bacteria. The areas of highest risk are moist, shaded places with leaf litter and low-lying vegetation in wooded, brushy or over-grown grassy areas.
The photo to the left depicts the typical bullseye rash. (from CDC website)
The following precautions may prevent Lyme Disease:
For more information, contact Don Robasser at 258-6256 or Employee Health at 258-5035. The following references may also be useful: West Nile Virus is a disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infections are not severe, and symptoms may include fever, headache, and body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms of a severe infection may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and death. People at highest risk for severe infection are those over 50 years old. The following precautions may help to prevent West Nile Virus:
For more information, contact Don Robasser at 258-6256 or Employee Health at 258-5035. The following references may also be useful:
Bee, wasps and ants are the most common causes of insect stings. For most people, getting stung is a painful, but relatively minor annoyance. However, every year, approximately 100 people die from an allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting. Knowing what to do saves lives. A local reaction usually includes immediate pain, redness, swelling, and itching at the sting site. The following are signs of a rarer, but more severe, allergic reaction:
In severe cases, marked difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, and even death. If you have a known history of an allergic reaction, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention. Do not drive yourself to the hospital as you may lose consciousness. (If you have an Epi-Pen, use it then go to the hospital!) You should also seek medical attention if you have received multiple bites or if they occurred in your eye or throat, even if you are not allergic. Treatment
Avoid further stings by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellant, and avoiding infested areas. For more information, contact Don Robasser at 258-6256 or Employee Health at 258-5035. The following references may also be useful: Only a few spiders are dangerous to humans. Two are the female black widow (with a red hourglass marking on her abdomen), and the brown recluse (with a violin marking on its upper body). They prefer dry, warm, dark places, like closets, woodpiles, and under sinks.
Bites are rarely fatal, though they can be very uncomfortable. The bite from these spiders may be almost unnoticeable at first. There may only be a slight swelling and redness. However, within several hours, you may begin to experience fever, chills, nausea and severe abdominal pain. Treatment
If you suspect a bite from a black widow or brown recluse spider, follow the same treatment rules, but also seek medical attention. Without cutting off your circulation, if the bite is on an arm or leg, tie a snug bandage between the site of the bite and your heart (above the bite) to try to slow down the circulation of the poison. Treatment may require an anti-venom medication or corticosteroids. For more information, contact Don Robasser at 258-6256 or Employee Health at 258-5035. The following references may also be useful:
Rabies is a preventable viral illness caused by the bite (or other exposure to the saliva) of an infected (usually wild) animal, such as a bat, skunk, or raccoon. Although in theory any mammal can be infected, other small wild animals (mice, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks) rarely are rabid, although should be avoided if they are behaving in an unusual manner. Bats can carry rabies, although most are not infected. People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat. However, because bats have small teeth which may leave marks that are not easily seen, you should seek medical attention if you awaken from sleep to see a bat in your bedroom, or if you see a bat in the room of a child or mentally impaired person. People cannot get rabies just by having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine. If you see a bat, confine the bat to the room by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room except those to the outside. The bat will probably leave. However, if there is any question of a possible bite to an individual , or if you suspect that the bat is rabid (odd behavior, such as seeing a bat that is normally nocturnal during the day), leave the bat alone and call animal control for assistance. If you see a bat in a campus building, contact Public Safety at 8-1000. See the Fact Sheet for Bats in University Buildings for more information. Prevention and Treatment Avoid direct contact with stray animals or wild animals and NEVER handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter. If you are bitten, promptly wash the wound with soap and water. Seek medical help as soon as possible after an exposure. There has never been a case of a person getting rabies in the United States if they got prompt treatment (before developing symptoms). Treatment consists of one dose of immune globulin and five doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period. Additional doses or rabies vaccine should be given on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the first vaccination. Current vaccines are relatively painless with few side effects, and are given in your arm, like a flu or tetanus vaccine. The following references may also be useful
Poison Ivy is a member of the Rhus group of plants, which includes Poison Oak and Sumac. Oil from these plants contain the protein Urushiol, which combines with skin proteins when released from the leaves and roots. The oil/skin protein combination causes an allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive people. The rash is usually a red, itchy, blistering lesion or group of lesions, often in a linear pattern. This is Poison Ivy in the Summer. Note that some of the leaves are notched and some are smooth. "Leaves of three, let them be."
This is Poison Ivy in the Fall. It can still cause a rash when it looks like this. The oils can be released from damaged leaves or roots.
Preventing Poison Ivy Prevention of poison ivy involves avoiding contact with Urishiol, the oil that causes poison ivy rash. Destroying the plants is the most effective way to prevent the rash, but his is not always practical. “Blocking” creams for preventing exposure are not always effective Wear long pants and shirts when in close proximity to the plant. Remember that the oil can be carried on clothing, shoes, and pets, so wash all garments that may have come in contact with the oil in water and detergent. If your skin has come in contact with the oil, try to wash with soap and water (but it only takes 5 minutes for the oil to penetrate the skin, so you may not have time) Treatment Over the counter anti-itch creams may be effective in mild cases of poison ivy. In more severe cases, prescription steroid creams or steroid pills may be required. For more information, contact Don Robasser at 258-6256 or Employee Health at 258-5035. The following references may also be useful:
Heat Stress Working under hot conditions may pose special hazards to safety and health. The Heat Stress Fact Sheet provides an overview of the variety of illnesses and injuries associated with heat stress and gives guidance on how to recognize and prevent them. Lightning Lightning is the second leading cause of direct weather deaths in the U.S., after floods, and results in more fatalities each year that tornadoes and hurricanes combined. The Lightning Safety Fact sheet provides guidance as to how to recognize and avoid lightning-related hazards. For individuals working or attending Reunions, please refer to the Severe Weather Preparedness reminder for information about the precautions in place during these events. Flooding Severe weather can bring heavy rainfall in a short period of time resulting in flooding of basements and other below-grade work areas. Flooded areas can be hazardous for reasons that may not be obvious. Potential hazards include electrical shock, holes, pits and tripping hazards obscured by water and slippery walking surfaces due to mud or other contaminants. Please refer to the Guidelines for Entering Flooded Areas.
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Symptoms of Lyme Disease occur 3 - 30 days after a tick bite and may include
a bullseye rash (~80% of patients) and flu-like symptoms (fever, malaise,
fatigue, joint aches, headaches, muscle aches). It is usually treated
with antibiotics.
Treat non-poisonous spider bites as you would other insect bites. Wash the area with soap and water, apply ice or a cool compress, and take pain medication as needed.
