Prevention of Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Infections

Abstract

Summary Prevention is the best method for avoiding potentially serious complications of Lyme disease. In this chapter, we will discuss preventative measures that can be employed by individuals and/or communities. Among the topics discussed are personal protective measures, tick reduction, reservoir reduction and vaccination. Additionally, new preventative measures that are in development including new Lyme disease vaccines, anti-tick vaccines and reservoir-targeted vaccination are discussed.

A STING from a Tick : Epidemiology, Ecology and Clinical Aspects of Lyme Borreliosis

“…Such strategies include avoidance of tick-infested areas, use of protective clothing and use of tick repellents on either skin or clothing, and routine bodily checks for ticks (Clark & Hu, 2008). Tick repellents containing DEET (diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) may repel >85% of tick attacks one hour after application but its effectiveness may decrease over longer time periods (Pretorius et al, 2003).…”

“…Another approach to reduce the risk for tick bites is to control the tick population. Controlling ticks by habitat manipulation and insecticides may be possible in smaller areas (gardens, public parks, small islands) but may be more difficult in larger areas (Clark & Hu, 2008). …”

“…Another approach to lower the density of ticks is to control them by habitat manipulation or using acaricides. However, to do this in a larger area must be extremely difficult and it is probably easier carried out in a smaller areas (Clark & Hu, 2008).…”

Prevention and Prophylaxis of Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Related Diseases

“…It is desirable to inspect for unattached ticks in on clothing because they can turn into a later tick bite. Depending on the species, ticks can survive for long temps, therefore wash and dry clothing is a good practice (Oteo et al, 2001;Stafford, 2004;Piesman and Eisen, 2008;Clark and Hu, 2008).…”

“…However, despite these products are reasonable safe to use many people display certain toxicity. This fact has misguided in the use of repellents based on natural products as garlic, citronella, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, lavender oil or Alaska yellow cedar oil (e.g., citriodiol or p-menthane-3,8-diol available on the market as a tick repellent) Clark and Hu, 2008).…”