By Tom Stanley, Extension Agent
Ticks And Public Health Seminar
Ticks can be active any time of year. Weather conditions and seasonal patterns influence tick activity but anytime daytime temperatures reach 40 degrees or higher, ticks can be on the move. Virtually everyone has some potential exposure to ticks but especially agriculture, forestry, and landscape workers and people who enjoy our region’s renowned outdoor activities.
Rockbridge Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension is hosting an evening seminar entitled ‘Ticks and Public Health’ on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Appomattox Mezzanine of the Virginia Horse Center.
Two experts will share their perspectives and insights into what is understood about the biology of the different tick species in our region and the prevention, treatment, and management of tick-borne diseases.
The first speaker will be Gillian Eastwood, PhD, entomologist and associate professor of Vector-Borne Disease Ecology at Virginia Tech. Dr. Eastwood has conducted research on tick life cycles around Virginia including data collection in Rockbridge County.
The second speaker will be Dr. Jeffery Wilson, MD, PhD, associate professor of Medicine Allergy and Immunology, University of Virginia. Dr. Wilson’s research interests focus on the tick-acquired red meat allergy, alpha-gal syndrome but his presentation will touch on other diseases including Lyme and Babesiosis. B oth speakers will take questions from the audience following their presentations.
The dry weather of the summer may have suppressed some tick activity but the very welcome recent rain and the continued mild temperatures could foster greater tick activity.
Vigilance in checking your body for ticks after spending time outside is always the first line of defense and should be made a habit. Clothing treated with permethrin formulations designed to adhere to fabric is one of the most effective additional steps to prevent tick bites while bug repellents containing deet or picaridin make it difficult for ticks to detect you.
The Nov. 5 seminar is free and open to the public but people are asked to register so we can plan for seating and materials. Register by calling the Rockbridge Extension Office at (540) 463-4734, ext. 2 (administrative desk), or email [email protected].
