<p>The recent death of a seasonal resident with an apparent case of tularemia has sparked renewed discussion about tick-borne illnesses.</p>
The recent death of a Martha’s Vineyard seasonal resident with an apparent case of tularemia has sparked renewed discussion on the Island about the ongoing need for public education around tick-borne illnesses.
Maria Danielson told the Gazette in an email that her father Davio Danielson died last week at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, and that tularemia was confirmed as the cause. Mr. Danielson fell ill after he had been cutting brush on his Oak Bluffs property, his daughter said. He did not seek medical treatment on the Island and went back to western Massachusetts, where he sought treatment when his symptoms grew worse, she said.
Tularemia is a tick-borne illness that can be transmitted by a tick bite and also from infected dead animals, causing a pneumonia-like illness that can be fatal.
Spokesmen for the state Department of Public Health and Cooley Dickinson said this week that they could not confirm or comment on the case, citing laws that protect patient confidentiality.
Public health officials on the Vineyard said the recent case should not be cause for alarm but rather an opportunity to raise awareness about prevention, diagnosis and early treatment, especially as tick-borne illnesses become more prevalent.
“This case should not be looked at as Armageddon,” said Dr. Sam Telford, professor of infectious diseases and global health at Tufts University who has extensively studied tick-borne illnesses and is widely considered the top expert on the Vineyard.
He said Island medical practitioners have become expert by now at diagnosis.
“It is well entrenched on Martha’s Vineyard and no longer a surprise,” he said. “The people at the hospital are well versed in this — they can smell tularemia when it comes in the door.”
Dr. Telford said between three and 15 cases of tularemia have been documented on the Vineyard every year going back to 1999.
“It is a little late in the season — typically we see tularemia cases early in the summer,” he added.
According to data tracked by Island Health Care in Edgartown, which contracts with Island towns for public health services, in 2017 there were six reported cases of tularemia. So far this year four cases have been reported, according to Lila Fischer, a public health nurse with the agency.
Health care providers in Massachusetts are required to report suspected and confirmed cases of tularemia immediately to the Department of Public Health, which also directs them to send isolates to the state public health laboratory for analysis. Isolates are samples of bacteria isolated from a specimen.
Nationwide, tularemia is a relatively rare disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which has tracked its incidence since 1950. Between 2006 and 2016, there were an average of 172 reported cases per year across the country, with the highest incidence in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma where there are 25 to 35 cases per year in each state.
In New England, tularemia is extremely rare apart from Martha’s Vineyard, which state statistics show reached a high of 16 confirmed and probable cases in 2008. The majority of cases, according to the state DPH, have been people who work outdoors, especially landscapers.
Tularemia can be contracted in one of several ways. The disease is carried by certain ticks including the common dog tick (also called the wood tick). A person can also become infected after touching, handling, eating or being bitten by an infected animal, or having contact with water or soil that has been contaminated by an infected animal. The most serious form is pneumonic tularemia, which usually results from breathing dusts or aerosols containing the organism. Between 2000 and 2010, more than 40 people on Martha’s Vineyard were diagnosed with the pneumonic variety, according to a Department of Public Health update issued in May 2010.
The last known death from tularemia on Martha’s Vineyard was in 2000, when a 43-year-old landscaper from Chilmark contracted the pneumonic form and failed to seek medical attention in time. Investigators suspected that David Kurth may have inhaled the remains or feces of an infected rodent while mowing a lawn near Squibnocket.
Symptoms may include fever, swollen glands, body aches, coughing and chest pains. In the case of tularemia caused by a tick bite, the area of entry may be inflamed and sore. Symptoms usually occur within three to five days of exposure, but can take as long as 21 days to show up. Early treatment with antibiotics usually cures the disease in a few days. The disease is confirmed with a blood test and cultures.
Public health officials recommend that people who work outdoors check for dead animals before using any lawn mowing or brush cutting equipment, avoid touching dead animals with bare hands and use a dust mask.
And anyone who spends time outdoors is reminded to take precautions against tick bites, including wearing long, light colored pants tucked into socks or boots and using insect repellent and permethrin-treated clothing, and checking their body for ticks after possible exposure. Anyone who has symptoms is urged to seek early treatment, and if off Island advise health care providers of the risks.
Dr. Telford praised the work of the tick-borne illness prevention program led by Island biologist Dick Johnson, and the educational website developed by the Island boards of health.
“There’s plenty of stuff to be worried about on Martha’s Vineyard,” he said. “Tularemia is not something that should cause people to become hysterical... we need to protect against tick bites, this patient was doing yard work so that’s a signal.
“It all boils down to the fact that ticks are keeping these infections around in nature and we need to something about it.”
Comments
bring back the heath hen or
deshandra brown Edgbring back the heath hen or its reincarnation...they ate ticks
Increase the bag limits on
Chris ChappyIncrease the bag limits on deer, extend the deer season, start stocking Quail and encourage residents to keep Guinea hens, distribute mouse cotton tubes treated with insecticide, encourage the gathering and killing of ticks in beach grass, cut back brush from pedestrian walk areas.
Maria, I am so sorry for the
Dana Nunes VHMaria, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad.
This Spring I made an
Ned Casey EdgartownThis Spring I made an appointment to see my Dr. I was having trouble breathing and had developed a bad cough. I was seen by a nurse and I then explained my symptoms. Told them I did landscaping etc. I did not have a fever but felt terrible. I was told I probably had the flu. No prescriptions etc. By the next day the cough had worsened. I started coughing up small specs of blood. I then went to the emergency room. They immediately put me on Doxycycline. Took X-rays and drew blood. The blood test takes 10 days to confirm tularemia. I had contracted it. It happened very fast for me. After a month of daily double doses I was better. I had lost 15 lbs. Please don’t wait!
I caught Tularemia in 1999
David Whitmon Oak Bluffs.I caught Tularemia in 1999 from handling my cat when having to give him daily antibiotics because of a wound he was recovering from. I caught it from both a cut on a finger and from inhaling it. I was getting increasingly sick for 2 days when I hit the floor and couldn't get up. From riding 100 miles a week with my kids to incapable of standing.
I was in the ICU for a week followed with out patient care for 10 days where I continued with intravenous antibiotics through a port in my arm. Swelling through out the lymphatic system in my left leg has left me to this day with continuous swelling in my left leg and foot.
It was the following Summer that I heard about the passing of David Kurth, a man 10 years younger than I. But for the Grace of God go I.
I cringe when I see people cutting grass without a mask.
Be careful out there one and all. Please be careful.
We have recognized experts
Lorraine EdgartownWe have recognized experts here on the island and it behooves us to do what is counseled. I cringe when I see people planting huge arbor vitae tree hedges in town rather than controlling the growth of hedges, brushy areas, not using tick tubes, not being aware of the dangers to all concerned. Please cut back the brush, refrain from huge hedges, use tick tubes, use pea gravel walkways, ticks do not like pea gravel, and control your pets. Little bunny rabbits may be cute but they are a danger to humans. Those of us who grew up in the country understand many of these things as we learned about animals as children, not all are cute, little comic strip creations to be fondled and protected and venerated. Animals are animals, period.
I have been raising guinea
dawI have been raising guinea fowl for 7 years. If any one has a interest in learning about it Im willing to help. Im also looking for some property to raise some more if any one has a interest in helping leave a message here.
DAW
Do you have any for sale.
Molly ChappyDo you have any for sale.
Guinea fowl are delicious and
Lorraine EdgartownGuinea fowl are delicious and I wish more were raised on the island.
Do you need a minimum amount
Mary Vineyard HavenDo you need a minimum amount of land?
Are guinea hens something a
Harris Loeser MenemshaAre guinea hens something a summer resident could raise? Is fencing necessary? I know on Larsen Lane, dogs killed off Larsen’s guinea hens Any knowledge about moveable around the lawn pens? Tks
It’s either cultivate more
Margot Lane MenemshaIt’s either cultivate more guinea fowl or encourage golden eagles to nest, which might be a twofer, considering the skunk population.
Davio Danielson appeared
Doug Sederholm West TisburyDavio Danielson appeared before the Martha's Vineyard Commission several times on his application to develop his family's land off of Barnes Road in Oak Bluffs. Davio was a true gentleman who tried hard to do the right thing in balancing his family's needs with protection of the lagoon and respect for his neighbors. It was obvious that he loved the Vineyard.
3 weeks ago my daughter was
paul adler west tisbury3 weeks ago my daughter was rushed to MGH as a result of a tick bite, but MGH could not confirm that, still waiting more blood test. She is fine now, after a 5 day hospital visit.
I am curious if the hundreds of natural turkeys we have eat ticks?
Ah yes, time for the Vineyard
Dan Davis TisburyAh yes, time for the Vineyard 2 Step. Someone presents a sensible solution and a bunch of loudmouth whiners claim it will destroy life as we know it and can’t be done. And the dance goes on....
Over the 40 years I've lived
Brandy Taylor Tisbury, Martha's VineyardOver the 40 years I've lived on the Island, I've heard stories here and there from old timers that the foxes kept rabbits and mice in check and therefore the tick population .Has anyone else heard this ? When and why were they exterminated ? Did they keep the rat population down too ? My brother was diagnosed with Teularimia in early 2000's . Boston medical facilities kept treating him for pneumonia for several months ? it wasn't until he returned to the Vineyard and saw my Doctor that he was correctly diagnosed and treated . I believe it was Dr Hoack .
Here on the Vineyard, that
thomas hodgson west tisburyHere on the Vineyard, that "summer cold" should not be ignored. Toughing it out could kill you. Wearing a mask can help. So can getting prompt medical attention. David Kurth tried to tough it out, and the result was tragedy. I remember reading at the time that he had not sought treatment because he didn't have health insurance. Public education about tularemia is important, but if you are afraid to see a doctor or go the the hospital because you can't afford to, that's equally tragic.
After spending the summer
Gabrielle whitcombe West TisburyAfter spending the summer being treated for Lyme with a month of Doxycycline, and a negative Lyme test. I felt like I was getting back to normal until I had a sore throat and incredible joint pain. Initially the doctor wasn't going to do any testing, and told me I could see a specialist in Rhode Island. I advocated for the blood work, and two days later I was diagnosed as having either a current or past infection of tularemia. For those of us who work as gardeners or landscapers, the risk of exposure is super high. I think there should be yearly free blood tests for all involved in these fields.
I discovered a bullseye late
Robert West Tisbury seasonalI discovered a bullseye late in the evening in July 2012. Went straight to MVH and there was no one there except the Dr & nurse. I was given shot for pain which didnt really apply and a handful of doxycycline. Lickety split I was on my way. My visit there seemed inconvenient. Tuleremia, lyme and a few other tick trasmitted diseases was the diagnosis when I got proper care. I nearly died. A year on iv antibiotics is what it took to clear it up and I still have residual issues. We continue to visit island but are very very careful now. I regularly think about the risks. These tick illnesses are routinely transmiited on the Island and arent taken seriously enough. They can and will cost you your life if you dont get proper medical care.
‘The people at the hospital
Maggie West Tisbury‘The people at the hospital are well versed in this’... oh please, give me a break! It took from July - September for them to diagnose me with Tularemia. I was also pregnant at the time. I was told by many hospital staff it was ‘all in my head’ , and I was ‘just pregnant’. I’ll never trust in the MV hospitals ability to properly diagnose and treat again.
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