Natural places: Lyme disease risk management and communication.
3 likes2,611 views
The document discusses the epidemiology and increasing incidence of Lyme disease in the UK, highlighting environmental factors and public awareness. It emphasizes the need for effective risk management strategies and education to minimize the disease's impact while encouraging outdoor activities. Key case studies illustrate successful approaches to raising awareness and managing risks associated with Lyme disease in natural settings.
Natural places: Lyme disease risk management and communication.
- 1. First presented: 13 07 2013 This version: 1.0, 13 07 2013 Lyme Disease Action – National Conference 2013 Natural places: Lyme disease risk management and communication Edward Wilson1,2 1Silviculture Research International 2National School of Forestry, University of Cumbria 12th UK Lyme and Tick-borne Diseases Conference, University of Surrey, Guildford, 13 July 2013
- 2. Outline • Background – Epidemiology of Lyme disease – The changing landscape of health and forests in Britain • Ecology of Ixodid ticks and Lyme disease – Lifecycle of Ticks and Host Interactions – Habitat issues and current research • Public Education – Ticks and Lyme disease information – Minimising Risk - Case Studies • Summary and Conclusions 2
- 3. Epidemiology of Lyme disease in the UK 1999-2011 • Approximately 10 000 confirmed cases in past 10 years. • Confirmed reports thought to significantly underestimate true incidence (3:1?) • Up to 20 percent of cases in any year are thought to be acquired abroad Data: HPA 2013 and HPS 2013 3 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 Confirmedreports Scotland 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 Confirmedreports Year England and Wales 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 Confirmedreports Scotland 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 Confirmedreports Year England and Wales
- 4. Lyme disease: Factors and Trends • Several factors thought to be responsible for the rising trend in the number of infections, such as: – Improved diagnostics – Increased awareness and reporting of infection – Improved habitat for host species – Successive mild winters enabling ticks to survive – Growth in recreational travel to high-risk areas (UK and overseas) 4
- 5. Policy Drivers in Health: Physical activity and health 5 Be Active, Be Healthy. Department of Health 2009. The Scottish Health Survey. Scottish Government 2009.
- 6. Natural Environments and Health • Primary evidence that natural places are beneficial for both physical and emotional well-being. • Many sports and passive recreational activities are possible in forests and outdoors • Evidence to suggest that the spiritual and “connectedness” aspects of nature have an added impact on healing, sense of well-being and psychological restoration (e.g., Ulrich 1984). • This is something we are investigating in a range of urban green spaces in Sheffield, with a paper coming soon (Jorgensen et al). • However, the health benefits need to be balanced with awareness of the health risks in natural places, especially Lyme disease.
- 7. Day-Surgery Recovery Room (2011), Sheffield
- 8. 8 Childhood experience in woods and nature is important in determining exercise preferences in later life
- 9. 9 Policy Drivers in Forestry: Climate Change and Public Health
- 10. The Great Public Forest Sell-Off Debate Protest at Grizedale Forest, January 2011 10
- 11. Forest Policy and Ecosytem Change • Throughout the 20th century there has been a concerted effort to restore and enlarge the forest estate. • Forests have become larger and more complex as they age. • Now we are moving to a more ecological form of forest management to promote biodiversity and recreational values .... • This policy is proving successful, but this may bring more people into habitats where there are large numbers of ticks. 11
- 12. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 < 15 15–50 51–100 > 100 Area('000ha) Age Class (years) 1947 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 < 15 15–50 51–100 > 100 Age Class (years) 1965 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 < 15 15–50 51–100 > 100 Age Class (years) 1982 Area of High Forest by Age Class Groups 1947-2000 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 < 15 15–50 51–100 > 100 Age Class (years) 2000 Broadleaves Conifers Source: Mason 2007 • The area of woodland has increased dramatically from 1947-2000 • The amount and complexity of older woodland is increasing
- 13. Environmental Benefits of Forests: Thirlmere Reservoir 13
- 14. 2007 Fallow DeerMuntjac Deer Roe Deer Source: British Deer Society Red Deer 2000 Increase in deer populations in Britain, 2000- 2007 14
- 15. The 2-year life cycle of Ixodid ticks Eggs Eggs laid, adults die Feed 1 • Mouse • Bird SPRING WINTER SUMMER AUTUMN Larvae molt into nymph stage Nymphs molt into adult stage Feed 3 • Person • Deer • Dog Adults Feed 3 For adults failing to feed in autumn • Person • Deer • Dog Nymphs dormant Larvae Feed 2 (peak feeding May-mid July) • Person • Deer • Dog Nymphs 15
- 16. Major wildlife hosts at each blood feed 16 · Ixodes ricinus is most common vector, but also an urban risk from I hexagonus and I canisuga · Ruminants support adult tick population, but do not transmit LD – evidence they kill Borrelia
- 17. Epidemiology of Lyme disease in the UK • Who is at risk of acquiring Lyme disease? – Occupational: Forestry workers, deer managers, gamekeepers, farmers, soldiers, outdoor educators, conservationists – Recreational: ramblers, campers, ornithologists, nature photographers, returning travellers (from focal regions in US and EU) • Where are “hotspots” in the UK? – New Forest, Thetford Forest, South Downs, Exmoor, woodland/heathland in southern England, Welsh uplands, North York Moors, Lake District, Scottish Highlands – Other local areas (habitat host species humans) – Therefore, important to note, infected ticks can be found in both rural and urban green space – forests, parks, gardens 17
- 18. Forest cover in the UK Source: Forestry Commission 2013
- 19. Ixodid ticks can be active for most of the year in woodland habitats Larvae Nymphs Adults a = exposed meadow b = dense hill vegetation or secondary deciduous woodland c = highly sheltered woodland ( ) d = spring-derived but autumn-feeding Solid line = spring population Broken line = autumn population Seasonal activity of Ixodes ricinus in different habitats Source: Prof. J. Gray/EUCALB 2010 19
- 20. Tick habitat Bracken dominated understoreyOpen forest Calluna dominated Area of natural regeneration Tick “questing” Image: BADA-UK 20
- 21. Urban green space and gardens can be effective tick habitats 21 • Parks and gardens provide excellent habitat for squirrels, hedgehogs, rodents, birds • Herbaceous vegetation especially interesting for children at play, pet dogs Public parks in Sheffield
- 22. Options for managing habitat • Vector - Direct control of tick populations • Host - Control/cull host populations • Environment – Modify/spray/strim vegetation to reduce ground cover/questing potential • Micro-manage habitats using knowledge of ecosystem dynamics • Education to increase awareness and personal protection 22
- 23. A high risk area: forest clearing with broadleaf regeneration and a large mat of bracken 23
- 24. Making use of vegetation dynamics – maintain moderate shade in high access areas 24
- 25. 25 Accessible public health information is key
- 26. Awareness raising at a Royal Forestry Society Field Meeting in North Wales 26
- 27. Ixodid tick morphology and development Nymph • 1 to 1.5 mm in size • difficult to detect Adult (female) • 3 to 3.5 mm in size • males are smaller • can remain attached to host for several days 27
- 28. Start and completion of a blood feed Image: LDA 28 • Ticks are skilled at evading early detection - bites are painless • They naturally focus on moist, warm areas of the body, often in skin folds • Undisturbed, feeding will continue for several days • A fully engorged tick will measure up to 10 mm in size, and appear like a small bean • It usually takes several hours before a tick transfers the Borrelia bacteria to the host
- 29. Anatomical distribution of nymphal tick bites % of total nymphal bites, recreational forest site, England 29Source: Robertson et al. 2000. Eur J Epidem 16: 647-652 Adults mainly bitten below waist Children mainly bitten above waist
- 30. Erythema migrans (EM) – the target rash Image: LDA 30 Image: 2007 J Gathany PHIL/CDC • The rash expands from the site of the bite and gradually clears in the centre • The rash appears over 3-30 days and may persist for several weeks • The rash present in 74 % of cases (LBU, HPA Study) (Marcu et al 2013) • The rash can be a wide variety of shapes depending on the location of the bite
- 31. Symptoms and signs Early: • red, expanding target rash • feeling unwell or 'flu-like' • headache, stiff neck • swollen lymph nodes • sound or light sensitivity Acute: • facial palsy • heart problems • breathing problems Weeks, months, years: • arthritis, typically of the knee • sleep disorders • extreme fatigue • upset digestive system • loss of weight • muscle pain and/or weakness • tendon pain • tingling and numbness • cognitive and psychological problems 31
- 32. Ixodid tick head and mouthparts Images: D. Scharf/Brown Univ. USA Chelicerae Hypostome Palps CheliceraeHead 32
- 33. Image: LDA Image: BADA-UK 33 Removal of ticks – the dos and don’ts! Best practice • Don’t panic • Aim to remove the tick promptly • Grip the tick by its mouthparts • Use a dedicated tick tool, follow instructions • Use fine tweezers – pull firmly, steadily, no twisting • Disinfect site of bite after removing the tick Unsafe practice • Don’t squeeze the body of the tick • Don’t twist (unless using a tick tool) • Don’t use fingernails • Don’t burn the tick • Don’t use oils, alcohol, nail varnish
- 34. Managing Risk in Relation to Lyme disease • Risk – “the probability of a particular adverse event occurring in a stated period of time” – Probability – Consequence • Risks in woodlands include: activity undertaken, management +/-, anti-social behaviour, animals/stock, climate, biological conditions. • Communicating risks? – Recent papers – e.g., O’Brien et al 2012; Marcu et al 2013 34
- 35. Case Studies: Positive Action in Practice • Case Study 1: Forestry Commission – Staff induction and Health and Safety (mirrored at NSF) – Information (intranet) and training, tick tools – Risk assessments (mirrored at NSF) • Case Study 2: National Outdoor Centre, Glenmore Lodge, Cairngorms – Staff induction – Awareness and training, tick tools – Annual testing (ELISA) • Case Study 3: Whinfell Forest, Center Parcs Holiday Village, Penrith, Cumbria – Education and awareness - ground staff and visitors – Medical Centre – trained staff and information leaflets – Bracken spraying/habitat modification (esp. By footpaths) 35
- 36. Awareness raising at Whinfell Forest Village, Cumbria (Center Parcs) 36
- 37. 37 Risk assessment and appropriate clothing required to access more natural woodland areas
- 38. 38 Woodland paths with moderate risk: dense ground vegetation and overhanging saplings
- 39. 39 Lower risk habitat with paths carefully prepared and vegetation cut back
- 40. Case study 4: Understanding risk during a woodland visit in SE England (O’Brien et al 2012) • Objectives: 1. what sort of risk people expect to encounter and their response 2. Awareness of Lyme disease, response to information and actions they might take 3. How these influence people’s values of woodland • Methods: 1. Photo elicitation task 2. Semi-structured group discussion 3. Evaluation of two posters, perception of risk, preferences for information 40
- 41. • Results: 1. Values – restorative, inherently peaceful, mainly risk-free, only apparent risks are man-made or due to poor maintenance of site 2. Risks - many (large mammals, domestic stock, timber production, algae in ponds, etc) - ticks not mentioned spontaneously - not all risk can or should be eliminated (esp. in relation to play and child development) - “health and safety culture” v “common sense” - risk can be categorised - e.g., visible/not visible; need to be made aware/no need to be informed 41 Case study: Understanding risk during a woodland visit in SE England (O’Brien et al 2012)
- 42. • Results: Awareness and response to communication on Lyme disease – Limited familiarity and communication • 50% familiar before participating • <25% familiar with precautions • 1 person previously treated. • Key features in posters: – Less is more – Key elements – picture of tick, tick removal, rash 42 Case study: Understanding risk during a woodland visit in SE England (O’Brien et al 2012)
- 43. Example Lyme Disease Poster Royal Parks, London 43
- 44. • Results: Taking action or not? – Preference for taking action after a visit • Checking skin for bites, rash • Visiting doctor in event of symptoms – Precautionary actions • Covering bare skin, insect repellent • Viewed as impinging on participants’ normal practice (esp. In younger age group) and reduced value of experience – Relative risk? • Issues with signage – too many signs about “health and safety” reduce visitor experience , perception of naturalness 44 Case study: Understanding risk during a woodland visit in SE England (O’Brien et al 2012)
- 45. • Outcomes – Many personal benefits from contact with nature • Physical exercise, Psychological restoration, Social contact – Focusing too much on risk can detract from the experience • “distancing from risk” (Marcu et al 2011) – Advice at odds with behaviour preference was unlikely to be adopted 45 Case study: Understanding risk during a woodland visit in SE England (O’Brien et al 2012)
- 46. • Managing woodland visits: – Providing information that does not seem to impede or reduce recreational use of woodlands – Short, clear, concise warning messages most appropriate and effective – Focus on post-visit action (see also Marcu et al 2013) – “Naturalness of setting” is important, sensitive placement of signs is essential – Responsible management does not equate with a lot of visible warnings 46 Case study: Understanding risk during a woodland visit in SE England (O’Brien et al 2012)
- 47. Health Information for Outdoor Users: Key Points 1. Enjoy the outdoors - it’s great for physical and emotional well-being! 2. Before going outdoors - be aware of ticks and tick ecology 3. While outdoors - minimise risk of being bitten: dress appropriately; apply acaricide; avoid dense vegetation (questing) 4. After being outdoors - check for ticks on skin and clothes; check children; check the dog too! 5. If bitten by a tick - remove promptly using a safe technique 6. Medical treatment - seek early diagnosis and treatment if symptoms of infection develop after being bitten or after visiting tick habitat - early diagnosis is easier to treat with ABx 7. If in any doubt, speak with your GP 47 Images: Forestry Commission
- 48. Conclusions 1. The potential risk of Lyme disease is increasing for many social, environmental and ecological reasons. 2. The risk of being bitten by an infected tick is modifiable through application of ecological knowledge, often at the local scale, and also an understanding of how people interact with natural environments. 3. Public Health Information needs to be targeted, normalised and empowering so that more people can safely engage with the natural world for their physical and emotional well-being. 48
- 49. Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. Emerson