Vector-Borne and Flea-borne Diseases

Vector-borne diseases

Wild rodents (chipmunks, squirrels, mice, rats, muskrats) and rabbits are well-adapted to living in urban, suburban, and rural environments.  In addition, many types of rodents have become popular "pocket" pets (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) along with domestic rabbits and hedgehogs. These animals can harbor diseases that can make people sick.  Wild rodents also serve as the reservoir for many vectorborne diseases (diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes) such as babesiosis, typhus, Lyme disease, Powassan virus, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, to name a few.

Symptoms : Symptoms may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, joint pain.

Causes : Caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection.

Treatment : Treatment includes medications such as antibiotics, anti-parasitics, therapy, and self care measures.

Vector-Borne diseases can be prevented in the following ways:

• Vaccines should be developed for protection against disease-causing viruses.
• Insect repellants such as DEET or Permethrin can be applied to the skin and clothes respectively.
• Tick checks should be performed after exposure to dogs, cats, cattle, and mice.
• Use nets while sleeping to protect against mosquitoes.
• Wash and dry clothes after an outdoor visit for a long time.

Flea-borne diseases

Some fleas carry pathogens that can cause human disease, including:

• Plague — most commonly transmitted to humans in the United States by infected ground squirrel fleas, and globally by infected Oriental rat fleas. Also, may be transmitted by improperly handling an animal infected with plague bacteria. Most U.S. cases occur in rural areas of the western United States.

• Flea-borne (murine) typhus — transmitted to people by infected cat fleas, , infected Oriental rat fleas,  or their feces (poop; also called “flea dirt”). Most cases in the United States are reported from California, Texas, and Hawaii.

• Cat scratch disease (CSD) — transmitted to humans most often after a scratch from a domestic or feral cat that has been infected by a flea, or through flea feces (poop; also called “flea dirt”) being inoculated through a cat scratch. CSD occurs wherever cats and fleas are found.

• Fleaborne parasites, such as tapeworms can spread to people and animals if they accidentally swallow an infected flea. Small children are at a higher risk than adults, as they may spend more time close to the floor and carpeted areas where fleas are found. Most infected people will not show symptoms and will not know they are carrying tapeworms.
  
  Symptoms include:

• Itching
• Skin around each bite may become sore or painful
• Hives or develop a rash near the site of a bite

Prevention:

• Periodic pest control may eliminate nests and minimize reproduction of biting insects
• Wearing protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants when outdoors
• Discarding the dust bag from any vacuum cleaners after every use
• Regularly cleaning and vacuum furniture, floors, skirting boards, and bedding.

Please take your own precautions to care for your family by taking as many of these prevention measures as possible.

Spring is coming and it’s time to enjoy our parks with our fellow neighbors! We have many fun neighborhood events planned for 2023, but the community events team needs YOU!! 

We are looking for volunteers to co-chair our Annual Easter Egg Hunt in April and our Adult Mixers (spring and fall)this year.  Our previous chairs have detailed plans to share! Grab a friend or two and help plan!

We can’t have these events without you!!

If you are interested in leading one of these events or getting involved with community events, please email Kelley, obrienkelley97@gmail.com. 

Adult Co-ed Volleyball

The volleyball court located at Desert Ivy Park is reserved every Sunday from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM for the Green Trails adult co-ed volleyball league.  If you are a Green Trails resident and are interested in participating, please contact Alison Fitzgerald at Alison.L.Fitzgerald@gmail.com.

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