| |
Symptoms /=20
Origin |
First Aid /=20
Prevention |
SARS Virus=20
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/c=) |
- "Severe Acute =
Respiratory Syndrome"=20
is a flu-like contagiuos corona virus which affects the lungs,=20
originated in China. =20
- Fever of over 100.4 =
degrees F=20
[>38.0 degrees C] that is accompanied by a cough or =
difficulty=20
breathing or that progresses to a cough and/or difficulty=20
breathing.
|
- Consult a health care=20
provider. =20
- Simple covering of =
mouths before=20
coughing, avoidance of public exposure (including workplace and =
school)=20
when you have a fever or bad cold, and hand washing will all go =
a long=20
way towards keeping the public safe. =
|
West Nile Virus=20
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/a=) |
- "Encephalitis" means an =
inflammation of the brain and can be caused by viruses and =
bacteria,=20
including viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. =
- West Nile encephalitis =
is an=20
infection of the brain caused by West Nile virus, a flavivirus =
commonly=20
found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely =
related=20
to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United=20
States. =20
- West Nile virus is =
spread by the=20
bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can infect people, =
horses, many=20
types of birds, and some other animals. =20
- Mosquitoes become =
infected when=20
they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in =
their=20
blood for a few days. After an incubation period of 10 days to 2 =
weeks,=20
infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans =
and=20
animals while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the=20
mosquito's salivary glands. During blood feeding, the virus is =
then=20
injected into the animal or human, where it then multiplies and =
may=20
cause illness. =20
- Most infections are =
mild and=20
symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, often with =
skin rash=20
and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection may be marked by =
headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, =
coma,=20
tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and, rarely,=20
death.
|
- Consult a health care=20
provider. =20
- Apply insect repellents =
to clothing=20
and skin, according to label instructions, to prevent mosquito =
bites.=20
Apply insect repellent containing DEET =
(N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) to=20
exposed skin whenever you are outdoors. =20
- When possible, wear =
long-sleeves,=20
long pants and socks when outdoors. Treat clothes with =
repellents=20
containing permethrin or DEET will give extra protection, since=20
mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Do not apply =
repellents=20
containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent=20
containing DEET on the skin under your =
clothing. =20
- Mosquitoes lay their =
eggs in=20
standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for=20
mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold=20
water. =20
- Wear gloves when =
handling and=20
cleaning wild game animals to prevent blood exposure to bare =
hands and=20
meat should be cooked thoroughly.=20
- Dead birds in an area =
may mean that=20
West Nile virus is circulating between the birds and the =
mosquitoes in=20
that area. Over 110 species of birds are known to have been =
infected=20
with West Nile virus. Although birds, particularly crows and =
jays,=20
infected with WN virus can die or become ill, most infected =
birds do=20
survive. =20
- Vitamin B and =
"ultrasonic" devices=20
are NOT effective in preventing mosquito =
bites. =20
|
St. Louis =
Encephalitis =
Virus=20
|
- St. Louis encephalitis =
is a major=20
mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It is one of a =
group of=20
mosquito-borne virus diseases that can affect the central =
nervous system=20
and cause severe complications and even =
death. =20
- St. Louis encephalitis =
is caused by=20
the St. Louis encephalitis virus, an arbovirus. Arbovirus is =
short for=20
arthropod-borne virus. Arboviruses are a large group of viruses =
that are=20
spread by certain invertebrate animals (arthropods), mainly=20
blood-sucking insects. In the United States, arboviruses are =
usually=20
spread by infected mosquitoes. Birds are often the source of =
infection=20
for mosquitoes, which can sometimes transmit the infection to =
animals=20
and, in rare cases, people.=20
- Symptoms are usually =
mild and=20
include fever, headache, tiredness, and dizziness. In its more =
severe=20
form, the disease can cause convulsions and death. =
|
- Consult a health care=20
provider. =20
- If possible, stay =
inside between=20
dusk and dark. This is when the mosquitoes are most active in =
their=20
search for food.=20
- When outside, wear long =
pants and=20
long-sleeved shirts. =20
- Spray exposed skin with =
insect=20
repellent
|
Norwalk Virus =
(norovirus)=20
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/n=) |
- Norwalk virus infection =
is an=20
intestinal illness that often occurs in =
outbreaks. =20
- The first recorded =
epidemic=20
attributed to Norwalk virus occured in an elementary school in =
Norwalk,=20
Ohio, in 1968.=20
- Norwalk and =
Norwalk-like viruses=20
are increasingly being recognized as leading causes of foodborne =
disease=20
in the United States. =20
- The viruses are passed =
in the stool=20
of infected persons. People get infected by swallowing=20
stool-contaminated food or water. Outbreaks in the United States =
are=20
often linked to raw oysters. =20
- Infected people usually =
recover in=20
2 to 3 days without serious or long-term health=20
effects. =20
- Nausea, Vomiting , =
Diarrhea,=20
Stomach cramps, Severe illness or hospitalization is=20
uncommon. =20
- Norwalk and =
Norwalk-like viruses=20
have been linked to outbreaks of intestinal illness on cruise =
ships and=20
in communities, camps, schools, institutions, and=20
families.
|
- Wash hands with soap =
and warm water=20
after toilet visits and before preparing or eating =
food=20
- Cook all shellfish =
thoroughly=20
before eating.=20
- Wash raw vegetables =
before=20
eating.=20
- Dispose of sewage in a =
sanitary=20
manner.
|
Ebola Virus=20
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/e=) |
- Ebola hemorrhagic fever =
(Ebola HF)=20
is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates =
(monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) that has appeared =
sporadically=20
since its initial recognition in 1976.=20
- The disease is caused =
by Ebola=20
virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the =
Congo=20
(formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first=20
recognized. =20
- The incubation period =
for Ebola HF=20
ranges from 2 to 21 days.=20
- The onset of illness is =
abrupt and=20
is characterized by fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, =
sore=20
throat, and weakness, followed by diarrhea, vomiting, and =
stomach pain.=20
A rash, red eyes, hiccups and internal and external bleeding may =
be seen=20
in some patients.
|
|
Deer Ticks =
(Ixodes =
scapularis)=20
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/d=) |
- Ticks are blood feeding =
external=20
parasites of mammals, birds, and reptiles throughout the=20
world.=20
- In general, a high =
fever combined=20
with stiffness or arthritic symptoms can indicate Lyme=20
disease. =20
- The best way to avoid =
Lyme disease=20
is to avoid deer ticks and western black-legged =
ticks.=20
|
- When you find a tick, =
use tweezers=20
to pick up the body and pull s-l-o-w-l-y and gently, and the =
mouthparts=20
will release. =20
- Ticks carry a lot of =
rickettsial=20
diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted =
Fever, so=20
you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap after handling a =
tick. =20
- Don't use any of the =
folklore=20
remedies (matches, cigarettes, pins, gasoline) that will =
irritate the=20
tick. They increase the likelihood that the tick will "spit up" =
in you,=20
which increases the risk of disease. Oil is not effective =
because the=20
breathing requirements of the tick are so small it could last =
hours=20
covered with oil. The mouthpiece is barbed rather than =
spiralled, so=20
trying to rotate the tick out doesn't provide any=20
advantage. =20
- If you have left the =
head, chances=20
are there will be an infection or an abscess in a week or so. =
Try=20
disinfecting the area thoroughly with 70% alcohol (it takes =
about 5=20
minutes for alcohol to sterilize an area). Ethyl alcohol is less =
toxic=20
than rubbing alcohol; vodka or any high-proof liquor will work, =
but good=20
commercial antiseptic cleansers are recommended. Then apply a=20
combination antibiotic ointment.=20
- Wear long pants and =
long-sleeved=20
shirts to minimize skin exposure to ticks. =20
- Tuck your pants into =
your socks to=20
form a barrier to tick attachment. =20
- Wear light-colored =
clothing to help=20
see ticks on your clothing. =20
- Check for ticks, =
looking=20
particularly for what may look like nothing more than a new =
freckle or=20
speck of dirt. =20
- Early removal of an =
attached tick=20
is extremely important because it takes more than 24 hours for a =
tick to=20
transmit the bacteria. To remove a tick, use fine-tipped=20
tweezers.=20
- Grasp the tick as close =
as possible=20
to the skin and slowly pull it straight out. The mouth parts may =
stay=20
attached, but do not be alarmed as these will not cause Lyme =
disease.=20
After removal, apply antiseptic or alcohol to the bite area. Do =
not=20
apply mineral oil, Vaseline, heat, or other agents to remove the =
tick.=20
These practices do not remove ticks and may actually increase =
your=20
chance of infection by causing the tick to excrete=20
bacteria.=20
- If you remove a tick as =
soon as you=20
find it, it is very likely that the tick did not transmit the =
bacteria=20
Borrelia burgdorferi to you because it was not attached long =
enough for=20
transmission to occur. Your doctor may suggest watching the bite =
and=20
waiting to see if any symptoms occur instead of beginning =
treatment=20
immediately. If you begin to develop symptoms or a rash at the =
site of a=20
tick bite, contact your doctor right away. =
|
Biting midges,=20
(Ceratopogonidae)
No-See-Ums.=20
|
- Biting midges, also =
called=20
no-see-ums and punkies, are the smallest of the biting flies. =
The victim=20
is seldom aware of the fly's presence until it has already =
started to=20
feed. =20
- There are approximately =
700 species=20
of these tiny vampires worldwide. These malicious pests =
gather in=20
a cloud over your head, and are better known as gnats, punkies, =
and=20
midges. They prefer damp places, calm, humid days, and are more =
active=20
at twilight and early evening. Artificial lights have a strong=20
attraction. =20
- Despite their almost =
invisible=20
size, their bite can pack a mean wallop. The females of some =
species are=20
cannibalistic, consuming their lovers. =
|
|
Poison Ivy=20
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/p=) |
|
|
| Poison Oak=20
|
|
|
| Poison Sumak=20
|
|
|
Southern copperhead,=20
Copperhead,
Highland Moccasin, Chunkhead.=20
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/v=) |
- Average adult size is =
22-36 inches=20
(56-91 cm), record is 53 inches (135 cm). A stout-bodied snake =
with=20
broad, light brown to gray crossbands, alternating with dark =
brown to=20
reddish-brown crossbands. Constrictions along the backbone give =
the dark=20
bands an hourglass shape. On the sides of the body the dark =
bands=20
usually have light centers, and occasionally one dark spot. =
Southern=20
copperheads sometimes have an overall pinkish tint. The top of =
head in=20
front of the eyes is covered with large plate-like scales. The =
pupil is=20
elliptical, a catlike vertical slit. There is a deep facial pit =
between=20
the nostril and the eye.
|
|
Cottonmouth, Florida=20
Cottonmouth,
Cottonmouth Moccasin, Water Moccasin,=20
Moccasin.=20
|
- Average adult size is =
20-48 inches=20
(51-121 cm), record is 74.5 inches (189 cm). A dark-colored,=20
heavy-bodied snake. Juveniles are brightly colored with =
reddish-brown=20
crossbands on a brown groundcolor. The dark crossbands contain =
many dark=20
spots and speckles. The pattern darkens with age so adults =
retain only a=20
hint of the former banding or are a uniform black. The eye is=20
camouflaged by a broad, dark, facial stripe. The head is thick =
and=20
distinctly broader than the neck, and when viewed from above, =
the eyes=20
cannot be seen. The top of head in front of the eyes is covered =
with=20
large plate-like scales. The pupil is vertical (catlike). There =
is a=20
deep facial pit between the nostril and the =
eye. =20
|
|
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, =
Diamondback, Rattlesnake,=20
Rattler. =20
|
- Average adult size is =
36-72 inches=20
(91-183 cm), record is 96 inches (244 cm). A large, heavy-bodied =
snake=20
with a row of large dark diamonds with brown centers and cream =
borders=20
down its back. The ground color of the body is brownish. The =
tail ends=20
in a rattle. The tail is usually a different shade, brownish or =
gray,=20
and toward the end of the tail the diamonds fade out or break =
into=20
bands. The large and thick head has a light bordered dark stripe =
running=20
diagonally through the eye and there are vertical light stripes =
on the=20
snout. The pupil is vertical (catlike) and there is a deep =
facial pit=20
between the nostril and the eye. =
|
|
| Timber Rattlesnake, Canebrake=20
Rattlesnake. =20
|
- Average adult size is =
36-60 inches=20
(76-152 cm), record is 74.5 inches (189 cm). Can be a large, =
heavy=20
bodied snake. The reddish brown stripe running down the center =
of the=20
back is disrupted by a series of large, black, chevron-like =
crossbands=20
on the pinkish gray or tan body. The tail is uniform black. The =
head is=20
large and sometimes with a dark diagonal line through the eye or =
just=20
behind the eye. The pupil is vertical (catlike) and there is a =
facial=20
pit between the nostril and the eye. The tail ends in a=20
rattle.
|
|
| Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake, Pygmy =
Rattler, Ground=20
Rattler.=20
|
- Average adult size is =
12-24 inches=20
(30-61 cm), record is 31 inches (79 cm). This is a small snake, =
but very=20
thick for its size. The top of the triangular shaped head is =
covered=20
with 9 large scales. The body color is light to dark gray. A=20
longitudinal row of black or charcoal, transverse blotches =
disrupts a=20
reddish brown stripe running down the middle of the back. Dark =
spots on=20
the side line up with the blotches. The tail is slender and ends =
in a=20
miniature rattle (see photo above). The belly is heavily mottled =
with=20
black and white. The pupil of the eye is vertical (catlike), and =
there=20
is a deep facial pit between the nostril and the=20
eye.
|
|
| Eastern Coral Snake, Coral=20
Snake.=20
|
- Average adult size is =
20-30 inches=20
(51-76 cm), record is 47.5 inches (121 cm). Body ringed with =
black,=20
yellow, and red; narrow yellow rings separating the wider red =
and black=20
rings. The rings continue across the belly of the snake. From =
tip of=20
snout to just behind the eye the head is black. The tail is =
black and=20
yellow, without any red rings. The red rings usually contain =
black=20
flecks or spots. The pupil is round. =
|
|
![](3D"http://www.stmarymagdalen.org/Ministries/scouting/troop38/images/s=)