Animals as Carries of Diseases Affecting Humans

Animal-borne diseases are a genuine problem, but it is important that appropriate means be used to deal with them, and not to engage in over-kill.

SEA LICE: For a few days in September 2000 Suffolk County recommended that there be no ocean bathing due to "Seabather's Eruption," which is contracted when sea anemone larvae ("sea lice") get caught between a swimmer's bathing suit and skin. They sting the swimmer, causing a rash that can last up to two weeks. FIE recommends swimming nude; otherwise one should watch for and avoid any tiny pink, egg-like organisms floating in the water.

MOSQUITOES: There are 3,500 species of mosquitoes in the world, and hardly any of them have any interest in sucking human blood. Unfortunately, a few of these "flying syringes" are a problem. What (if anything) to do about them is a controversial issue. Some Fire Island communities spray or "fog." But because it is unclear that these measures are harmless, and because the benefit only lasts for about a day, other communities choose to do nothing, and they do not seem to have a notably more serious mosquito problem than those who spray or fog. Mosquitoes are annoying, but as of this writing have not presented a major health hazard on Fire Island.

Actually, it is only the female mosquito that seeks blood (to nourish her eggs), and she usually relies on the blood of birds. But they feed more than once, and if you are "bitten" by a mosquito who previously 'bit" a diseased bird, the disease may be thereby transmitted to you.

Encephalitis. The current worry is the potentially fatal West Nile disease. Though humans contract the disease from mosquitoes, it is (of which Fire Island has too many, due to human influences) that actually spread it. Mosquitoes contract the disease from birds. In 2000, two crows in West Babylon and Lindenhurst were found to have died of the disease. West Nile is usually transmitted by dusk-to-dawn mosquitoes (Culex Pipiens), but can also be transmitted by daytime feeders (Aedes japonicus). Risk reduction. General information: NYC Department of Health. Q&A from Penn. State University. But FIE cautions against over-reaction, much less panicking. Even if one is infected, the chances are only 1 in 50 of an elderly person developing symptoms, and 1 in 300 for others. NPS on West Nile Disease.

TICKS: Probably the most common environment-related illness in our area is Lyme disease, caused by borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is usually transmitted by the nymphs of ticks, which are only about half the size of a sesame seed. The ticks are borne by small mammals like white-footed mice, and (at a later stage of life) by deer. Confirmed cases of the disease in humans have been running at between 600 to 1,000 a year in Suffolk County (according to the Bureau of Preventative Services of the Suffolk County Department of Health), and that does not include those who do not get diagnosed until we after leave the county.

Draconian measures that would damage the environment are not an appropriate way to deal with the disease. True, Lyme can be nasty. Usually, however, benign preventative measures suffice. The process of transmitting the disease to humans is slow, and if you can remove the tick before it has been biting you for a long time, you will probably not be infected. If you do contract lyme disease, it can usually be cured if caught early. In cool weather, one cany keep covered up. When walking where there is grass or underbrush, pants should be tucked inside socks. If the weather is too warm for such clothing, one needs to be very careful to avoid ticks. Wearing light-covered clothing may help spot them. If one is going to be in a place where ticks are likely to be encountered (e.g. where there is long grass or dense shrubbery, a little insect repellant (DEET), and subsequently inspecting one's body for ticks, should suffice to ward off lyme disease. If a tick does get on the skin, it probably won't bite for many hours, perhaps a whole day. When a tick is observed, remove it with tweezers--which should always be kept handy. (Don't apply any substance.) If the tick bit you, save it. Wait six weeks, and then take it to your doctor, who will probably want to test you for lyme disease.

SUNY/Stony Brook has an excellent brochure about Lyme disease. Phone 516-444-TICK. The Food and Drug Administration has information on the question of vaccination. But keep in mind that there are questions about the safety (possible long term harmful side effects) of the vaccine,* which at any rate is at best 78% effective (after three shots), so if there is any chance that you were exposed to ticks you still need to check your body for them. Happily, the ticks are very fussy and will probably be on your body for many hours before they find a site that satisfies the gourmet in them.

RABIES: Though we know of no cases on Fire Island, rabies is on the increase in the United States. The culprit is usually bats, which abound on Fire Island. They can bite people without the victims knowing that they have been bitten. Thus, if you think you have had any contact with a bat, you should see a doctor immediately. But don't panic! There were only 21 American deaths from rabies between 1991 and 1998 (up from about four in the 1980s). (Details: New York Times, March 16, 1999, p. F6.)

Updated June 23, 2003

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* New York Times, May 14, 1999, p. F7.