So here we are, in the height of summer. The weather is warm and the days are long. These lengthy leisurely days encourage many people to spend their time outside. I for one am a huge fan of being by a pool for as long as possible. Other people prefer more adventurous activities like hiking and biking, while some might just enjoy a stroll through the park. Regardless of the activity there is always the chance of encountering outdoor pests like ticks or mosquitoes. Usually these bugs are just what I said, pests. They bite you, you kill them, and it’s done. Sometimes however these little bugs, or rather the “bugs” that they carry, can have a hidden agenda. Some insects are considered to be vectors for disease. What this means is that disease causing microbes are capable of residing in, and being spread through these insects. Additionally some microbes have specific mechanisms that encourage insects to feed and subsequently spread disease. Some diseases that insects can carry include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, and West Nile virus. Insects often pick up these microbes by feeding on infected animals and then transfer the disease by feeding on people. This is why it is very important to be cautious if you’re going to be in an area where you could get bitten.
The easiest step to take would be to prevent getting bitten by wearing bug spray or protective clothing. Another very important step is to check for bites and to look for ticks after spending time outside. Bites that are infected will often have a large red area around them. Ticks usually need an extended feeding time to transfer diseases they can carry so the quicker you catch them the better off you are. The last and most important thing is to be aware of yourself. Most vector borne diseases are easily treated but can become very serious if left unchecked. If you do have a bite and aren’t feeling 100% then get it checked out by a doctor. Most bites are benign so don’t be afraid to go romping through the woods just make sure to be smart, after all microbes are EVERYWHERE.
