Safety in the Field

Introduction

Please note, this presentation is biased towards field work in the southeastern United States.

Basic Planning Information

Planning + Common Sense = Not Becoming Miserable, Angry, or a Statistic

A Risk Assessment for Hazards Is Required For All Protocols

Evaluate all risks associated with your fieldwork
Risks may be physical, environmental, animal, plant, medical, or weather
Develop a practical "Safety Plan" that will go into the field with you
For each trip, leave an itinerary with someone at "home base"
Notify ‘home base’ of any changes in the itinerary
Don’t work alone, use the buddy system

A Risk Assessment for Hazards Is Required For All Protocols

Carry a portable first aid kit to treat the most likely injuries
The Red Cross has a Wilderness/Remote Area First Aid Guide
Consider having someone in the group trained for Red Cross or Wilderness first aid
Carry a GPS enabled cell phone and make sure it is fully charged before you leave
Use appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) when necessary

Operational safety in the field is the responsibility not only of the principal investigator, but everyone working on the project.

Risk Assessment for Safe Research in the Field

Note: If you become ill within 1-2 weeks of working in the field, see your doctor. You might have contracted a zoonotic disease.

Risk Assessment for Safe Research in the Field

What Should You Take With You?

It depends on where you go and how long you plan to be gone:

Copy of safety plan and local emergency contacts
First aid kit and first aid manual
Medications and allergy treatments
Appropriate clothing to prevent hypothermia or heat illness
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Clean drinking water, water purification tablets, or filter devices
Personal protective equipment for fieldwork activities (e.g., safety glasses or goggles, gloves, hard hat, steel-toed boots, etc.
Vehicle safety kit
Two-way radio or GPS enabled cellular phone with broad coverage plan
High energy snacks

Physical Hazards

Planning + Common Sense = Not Becoming Miserable, Angry, or a Statistic

Environmental Hazards

Sun-UVA and UVB rays can cause sunburn, skin aging, wrinkles (repeated skin damage), cataracts, immune system damage, and cancer.
Excessive Heat (heat stress, exhaustion, stroke, muscle cramps, heat rash)
Dehydration
Inclement Weather
Impure Water
Accidental gunshot. Be aware of local hunting seasons. Friendly fire does not occur only on the battlefield.
Wildfires
Hazards also include terrain related trauma and crime in remote areas.

Sunburn

Prevention:

Wear long sleeved clothing and a hat.
Apply sunblock repeatedly with sun protection factor (SPF) of 30.
Wear sunblock clothing.
Use sunglasses that provide UV protection.

UV Protection Chart
Low (0-2)	Medium (3-5)	High (6-7)	Very High (7-10)	Extremely High (11+)
Sunscreen	Sunscreen	Sunscreen	Sunscreen	Sunscreen
Sunglasses	Sunglasses	Sunglasses	Sunglasses	Sunglasses
	Hat	Hat	Hat	Hat
	Shade	Shade	Shade	Shade
				Stay indoors between 10AM-4PM

Sunburn

Signs:

Reddening or blistering of skin

Time to burn fair skin under different exposure levels
	Low	Medium	High	Extreme
Less than 15 min.
20 min.
30 min.
1 hour+

Sunburn

Treatment:

Apply cool water to affected area.
Apply aloe or other cooling lotion to affected area.
Take anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin) to decrease swelling and pain.
Hydrate.

Consult a doctor for sunburn treatment if:

The sunburn is severe, perhaps including blisters, and/or covers a large portion of your body.
The sunburn is accompanied by a high fever or severe pain.
You've developed a skin infection from scratching your sunburned skin.
You have a severe sunburn that doesn't begin to improve within a few days.
Your doctor might suggest a corticosteroid cream for your sunburn, or a short course of prednisone for severe cases involving large areas of your body. Rarely, people who have severe sunburn may need intravenous fluids to combat dehydration.

Excessive Heat

Heat-related illness occurs when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded.
When the body can’t cool itself, body temperature rises quickly.
The high humidity in the southeast prevents the body from releasing heat as efficiently as drier climates (sweat does not evaporate as well).
Other conditions (e.g. dehydration, sunburn, drug or alcohol use) can also affect the body’s ability to properly regulate temperature.
In order of severity: Heat Stress < Heat Exhaustion < Heat Stroke.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.
Excessive heat can also cause heat rash or heat cramps.
Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather, most likely seen on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.
Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms, usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs – in association with strenuous activity. Sweating during strenuous activity depletes the body’s salt and moisture. The low salt level in the muscles causes painful cramps.

Heat Stress

Signs:

Mild thirst
Impaired work performance (heat fatigue)
Heavy sweating
Minor muscle “twitches”

Prevention and Treatment

Wear loose fitting, breathable clothes (cotton or linen).
Wear a hat.
Drink small amounts of water frequently. Avoid feeling thirsty.
Avoid caffeine.
If possible, stay out of the sun.
Move into the shade or cool off as frequently as possible.

Heat Exhaustion

Warning - If left untreated, Heat Exhaustion may progress to Heat Stroke!

Signs:

Heavy sweating
Paleness
Skin moist, clammy
Muscle cramps
Tiredness, weakness
Dizziness upon standing
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Fainting
Fast, weak pulse
Fast, shallow breathing

Prevention and Treatment:

Same as heat stress
May need to loosen or remove excess clothing
Lie down
Consider sports drinks in addition to water for electrolytes, 1 to 2 liters of fluid over 2 to 4 hours. Fluids should not exceed 6% carbohydrate content.
Apply cool, wet cloths on the skin

Heat Stroke

Heat Stroke is a Medical Emergency, call 911!

Signs:

High body temperature (103°F+)
Hot, red, dry skin (no sweating)
Strong, rapid pulse
Pounding headache
Severe thirst
Confusion, hallucinations, and bizarre behavior
Seizure
Unconsciousness
Possibly death if left untreated

Prevention:

Same as heat stress and exhaustion

Treatment:

Call 911 or move to a hospital as soon as possible.
Move into shade. Begin cooling immediately.
Continue cooling actions until body temperature reaches 101-102°F.
Get medical attention.

Dehydration

Can be interrelated with sunburn, excessive heat issues, and impure water hazards

Causes:

Not drinking enough
Excessive heat
Excessive sweating
Limited or no access to safe drinking water

Signs:

Dark urine
Lethargy
Constipation
Light-headedness

Prevention and Treatment:

Drink plenty of water (at least 1 cup/hour or 2 quarts/day).
Drink more if working strenuously or in a warm climate.
Minimize intake of caffeine and/or alcohol.
Take frequent rest breaks.

Weather and Safety

In addition to excessive sun and heat, other weather conditions can pose safety threats:

Thunderstorms
Lightning
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Hail
High Winds
Flash Floods
Cold Weather

Weather and Safety

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Lightning is a common weather phenomenon in the southeast year round but especially in the summer.
Lightning can cause harm in three ways:

Neuroelectrical damage – current passing through the body can stop the heart or stop breathing as well as cause paralysis and numbness.
Burns - primary burns from the heat generated as the current flows through tissue; secondary burns from overheated metal (rings, belt buckles, watch bands) or ignited clothing.
Explosive force – can cause soft tissue injuries and fractures.

Weather and Safety

Thunderstorms and Lightning

If you see lightning and hear the resultant thunder in less than 30 seconds, the thunderstorm is within six miles of you and should be considered dangerous.
Danger from lighting results from the actual strike as well as streamer currents, ground currents, surface arcs, and electrostatic charges.
Thunder can damage your hearing temporarily (and possibly permanently).
When a lightning threat becomes significant, seek shelter immediately.

Weather and Safety

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Take shelter in a vacant cabin or return to the field vehicle. Picnic shelters and canopies are not considered safe shelter.
Leave ridges or hill tops and open water bodies. Relocate to lower, rolling terrain or seek a ravine or ground depression (avoid ravines in flash flood prone areas).
Never stand under an isolated tree in an open area.
Avoid conductors such as power lines, railroads, cell phone towers, metal fences, even wet extended ropes.
Assume the lighting position. Squat or sit down, wrapping your arms around your legs, keeping your feet together. Close your eyes.
Wait at least 30 minutes after a thunderstorm has passed before resuming fieldwork.

Weather and Safety

Tornadoes

Signs of a Tornado (NOAA):

Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base -- tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!
Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen.
Day or night - Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder.
Night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong winds, perhaps a tornado.
Night - Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning -- especially if it is on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.

Weather and Safety

Tornadoes

Tornado Outdoor Safety:

Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
Do not get under an overpass or bridge. Strong winds drive debris under the structure. You are safer in a low, flat location.
Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

Contaminated Water

Drinking contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illness, hepatitis, and kidney disease.

The six most likely organisms to be found in ground water that can cause human illness include:

Giardia
Campylobacter
Pathogenic E. coli
Cryptosporidium
Leptospirosis
Salmonella

(EPA, 2009)

Prevention:

Carry your own water.
Treat water before use with purifying tablets, purification filters, or by boiling for more than 3 minutes.
If you become ill, seek medical attention.

Accidental Gunshot During Hunting Season

Moving through brush can result in being mistaken as the hunter’s prey.
Hunters may shoot before identifying their intended prey.
Wear orange during hunting seasons of all types (deer, turkey, bear, etc.)

Wildfires

Fire Prevention

Keep vehicles on roads or other non-vegetated areas to prevent ignition of wildfires by catalytic converters.
During high fire risk periods, it's best to avoid having a campfire altogether. Check the fire danger status and warnings for the area in which you will be working.
If you must have a backcountry fire, follow the Leave No Trace principles.
Use only established fire rings, keep your campfire small and never leave a fire unattended.
Use small pieces of wood gathered only from the ground and never break branches or cut down trees for a campfire.
Drown the campfire with water and stir charred material. Especially in Florida and Georgia palmetto areas, make sure roots are not smoldering or hot to the touch.
Once a campfire is completely out, cool to touch, and all the wood has turned to coal, scatter the cool ashes. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.

Wildfires

Fire Defensive Measures

Have an evacuation plan with one or more safe escape routes. Have emergency numbers handy.
If a wildfire is observed, immediately notify the emergency response authority (i.e., dial 911) and property owner. Alert all co-workers or colleagues working within the field and surrounding area.
Should a wildfire encroach upon the fieldwork area, implement the emergency evacuation plan.
Never attempt to suppress an uncontrolled wildfire. Leave the area and allow the professionals to deal with the wildfire.

Biological Hazards-Plants or Animals

Animals

Insects
Scorpions
Venomous Snakes
Alligators

Plants

Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Poison Sumac

Animal Disease Vectors (covered in greater detail in Lesson 3: Zoonotic Diseases

Mosquitoes
Ticks

Biological Hazards-Insects

The health effects of stinging or biting insects or scorpions range from mild discomfort or pain to a lethal reaction for those workers allergic to the insect’s venom.

Wear light-colored, smooth-finished clothing.
Avoid perfumed soaps, shampoos, and deodorants.
Don't wear cologne or perfume. Avoid bananas and banana-scented toiletries.
Wear clean clothing and bathe daily. (Sweat may anger bees.)
Wear clothing to cover as much of the body as possible.
Avoid flowering plants when possible.
Remain calm and still if a single stinging insect is flying around.
If you are attacked by several stinging insects at once, run to get away from them. (Bees release a chemical when they sting, which may attract other bees.)
A shaded area is better than an open area to get away from the insects.
Be aware that Africanized Honey Bees (central/south Florida) are more aggressive and persistent in their attacks.

Insect Bites or Stings

Move to a safe area to avoid more stings.

Remove the stinger, especially if it's stuck in your skin. This will prevent the release of more venom. Wash the area with soap and water.

For fire ants, briskly rub ants off skin; shake out clothing and shoes/boots.

Localized Pain, Redness, and Swelling

Apply a cold compress or ice to reduce pain and swelling.
Apply a topical cream or ointment such as one containing hydrocortisone, lidocaine, pramoxine, colloidal oatmeal, baking soda, calamine, or diphenhydramine to control either pain or itching/swelling.
Consider use of an oral anti-itch medication, e.g., Benadryl® or Chlor-trimetron®.

Moderate Reaction (bite site reaction spreading > 4 in)

Remove jewelry and constrictive clothing.
Seek medical attention.

Insect Bites or Stings

Severe Reactions

Difficulty breathing, swelling of lips or throat, dizziness, fainting, etc. can be fatal.
Treat as an emergency and get immediate help.
If you have a known history of severe reactions, carry an EpiPen and wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace.

Insect Bites or Stings

Chiggers/Redbugs

Will explore a host for several hours before choosing a place to feed. Chigger bites are most common in areas where clothing is tight or where skin is thinnest.
Chiggers do not burrow into a host’s skin or suck blood. They pierce the skin with their sharp mouthparts and inject a digestive enzyme, disintegrating skin cells for food and will feed for 3-4 days.
Itching usually begins within 3 to 6 hours after an initial bite, followed by development of reddish areas and sometimes pustules or bumps. Itching typically peaks at 24 to 48 hours after chigger bites occur, but redness and itching may persist for a week or more.
Use DEET bug repellent.
Consider applying permethrin products (such as Permanone® Tick Repellent) to clothing (ONLY to clothing, not to skin).
Take a warm, soapy shower or bath within a few hours after exposure to chiggers to reduce the number and severity of bites. Scrub your skin vigorously with a washcloth to dislodge any mites that may have settled there recently.
Use topical steroid or anti-itch creams to treat bites.
Seek medical attention if bites become infected.

Bug Repellant-It's Not Just for Sissies!

Not only does it help prevent insect bites and stings, it helps to prevent zoonotic disease transmission.

EWG’s (Environmental Working Group ) Guide to Bug Repellents

Active ingredients include the man-made chemicals DEET and picaridin and the natural derived chemicals of oil of lemon eucalyptus, oil of citronella, and IR3535.
Always follow label instructions when using insect repellents.
If a sunscreen containing DEET is used, then a sunscreen-only product should be used if additional sunscreen is needed. The sunscreen that contains DEET should not be reapplied because repeated applications may increase potential toxic effects.
Higher concentrations of any of the active ingredients provide longer protection, however, like sunscreen, concentrations above 50 percent generally do not increase protection time. Products with less than 10 percent of the active ingredient offer only limited protection, about one or two hours.
Protection and duration vary considerably among products and insect species. Temperature, perspiration, exposure to water, and other factors affect duration and effectiveness.
An alternative (or addition) to insect repellents is insect repelling clothing.

Biological Hazards-Snakes, Pit Vipers

The southeastern United States is home to several species of venomous snakes.

Pit Viper Bites

Double or single fang marks
Bleeding
Intense burning pain
Local swelling
Whole body effects: nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, weakness, numbness, altered mental state, and shock

Common Pit Vipers found in the Southeastern US:

Biological Hazards-Coral Snakes

Coral Snake venom is a neurotoxin.

Pain and swelling may be minimal or absent
Abdominal pain within hours of the bite
Whole body effects, including nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, weakness, altered mental state, rapid heartbeat, drooling, difficulty breathing, and/or stoppage of breathing (may be delayed up to 6 hours)

Coral Snake (venomous)

King Snake (non-venomous)

Biological Hazards-Snake Bite Prevention

To Avoid Being Bitten:

Employ mutual respect. Snakes typically just want you to go away or for them to get away. Don’t disturb snakes, or unnecessarily try to kill them.
Don’t put your hands or feet in places you cannot see or have not examined. Do not turn over rocks, logs, or trash with your bare hands.
Don’t crawl under fences, buildings, or other objects without carefully looking under them.
In the wild, don’t sit, stand, or walk without looking.
Don’t wear low-cut shoes or swim in areas known to be infested with venomous snakes.
Don’t gather firewood after dark or without looking carefully.

Biological Hazards-Snake Bite Prevention

To Avoid Being Bitten:

Don’t sleep on the ground near woodpiles, cave entrances, or swampy areas.
Don’t be careless when moving boats left on shore for several hours.
‘Dead’ snakes are still capable of biting for 1 or more hours. Don’t handle ‘dead’ snakes with your hands.
Don’t attempt to capture snakes unless you are skilled.
Don’t get within a snake’s striking distance while trying to identify it. The striking distance is roughly 1/3 to 2/3 of the snake’s body length.
Don’t travel alone in snake-infested areas.
Don’t stay near a snake if it bites you.
Don’t forget that venomous snakes can climb trees, can bite under water, do occur in high altitudes, and may enter saltwater.

Biological Hazards-Snake Bite Treatment

Roughly 8,000 snake bites are reported every year. Most are by non-venomous species. Of bites by venomous snakes, 25-50% are dry bites (no venom is injected). However you should seek medical treatment because venom is not the only problem associated with snake bites. Doctor treated snake bites result in less than 1% mortality in the U.S. (average of 5-6 deaths due to snake bite in the U.S. per year, more people die from bee stings and lightning strikes).

Emergency Treatment

Calm and reassure the victim; don’t panic.
Remove all rings, bracelets, or other constricting items.
Immobilize the bitten area as much as circumstances allow. Keep the bitten area at or below heart level.
Take the victim to a medical facility as quickly as possible. Call ahead to alert the emergency room that you're on your way.
If far from a medical facility, periodic time marking helps monitor the progress of swelling for later medical evaluation.

Biological Hazards-Snake Bite Treatment

Do not give victim any drink or food by mouth.
Do not use a constriction band or tourniquet in the absence of an obviously severe envenomation.
Do not place ice on bitten extremity and don’t use electric shock.
Do not make any cuts. Instead, use a Sawyer extraction kit (THE EXTRACTOR®) recommended by many wilderness first responders. This instrument may remove venom by suction without the use of incisions.
Only a physician should administer antivenom.
If feasible, bring the dead snake for positive identification (use caution – remember that the head can bite for 1 or more hours after death - don’t get bitten again!)

Alligator Safety

Alligators do not deserve the bad reputation they often suffer from but DO deserve your respect.
Do not feed alligators. They can become habituated to humans and become nuisance animals.
Do not disturb them when they are basking. Despite being large and usually slow moving, they are capable of bursts of speed.
Do not disturb egg nests or baby alligators. Momma will be watching.
Do not attempt to hurry an alligator off the road. Go around or wait patiently.
Maintain your distance. If they are hissing, you are too close.
Avoid heavy vegetation in and near the water’s edge as alligators use these areas to bask or ambush prey.
Avoid alligator hangouts during their hours of greatest activity (dusk to dawn) when hunting and feeding.

If attacked, striking the head and eyes repeatedly may cause the alligator to assume you are not worth the trouble.

Biological Hazards-Plants

(Click for information)

Biological Hazards-Plants

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac release an oil, urushiol, when the leaf or other plant parts are bruised, damaged, or burned. Exposure can occur through direct contact with the plant; indirect contact, such as touching tools, livestock, or clothing that have urushiol on them; and inhalation of particles containing urushiol from burning plants.

Signs of exposure:

Red rash within a few days of contact
Possible bumps, patches, streaking, or weeping blisters (blister fluids are not contagious)
Swelling
Itching
Respiratory problems

Biological Hazards-Plants

Prevention:

Wear long sleeves, long pants, boots, and gloves.
Wash exposed clothing separately in hot water with detergent.
Barrier skin creams (e.g. IvyBlock®) can offer some protection before contact. Wash off and reapply twice daily.
After use, clean tools with rubbing alcohol or soap and lots of water. Urushiol can remain active on the surface of objects for up to 5 years.
Wear disposable gloves when washing equipment.
Do not burn plants that may be poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.
Use an anti-rash product following exposure (e.g. Technu®).

Vehicle Safety

If using a university vehicle, be sure to familiarize yourself with all university rules and regulations.
Wear seatbelts whenever the vehicle is in motion.
For long trips, plan for several drivers to take turns and plenty of rest stops to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.
Perform a safety inspection of the vehicle before leaving.
If pulling a trailer, check brake lights and turn indicators on the trailer to be sure the electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer is working properly. Check the tow connections before leaving and during stops.
Multi-vehicle groups should be able to communicate between vehicles or have pre-designated meeting areas to gather if vehicles become separated.
All heavy or large items or hazardous materials should be secured in the vehicle to prevent movement.

Vehicle Safety-Off Road Hazards

Barbed wire and bailing wire that can wrap around the vehicle axle
Animals (cattle, deer, skunks, etc., especially at night)
Large branches or rocks that can damage the vehicle or cause hang-ups
Know the terrain around the vehicle before moving it in locations such as woods and marshes.
Use care in crossing dry and wet washes and attempting 4WD roads.
Consider carrying the following if off-road operation is anticipated:

shovel
axe or chain saw (for removing downed limbs or trees)
hand winch or come-along (for removing stuck vehicles)
fire extinguisher, mounted securely and easily accessible

If you get stuck in sand or soft sediment, let some air out of the tires for better traction.
Beware of approaching storms when traveling on dirt roads.
If you plan to be in a very remote area, carry some survival gear in the vehicle, e.g., sleeping bags and extra food.
Wear helmets and goggles when operating ATVs.

Zoonotic Diseases

Planning + Common Sense = Not Becoming Miserable, Angry, or a Statistic

Zoonotic Disease

Zoonoses: Diseases spread between animals and humans. These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that are carried by animals and insects. Transmission may be by direct contact or through a secondary mediator (vector).

Disease vector: A carrier that transfers an infective agent from one living organism to another.

Mosquitoes

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)
St. Louis encephalitis (SLE)
West Nile Virus
Dengue Fever

Most viral encephalitis cases have either no or only mild flu-like symptoms such as: headache, fever, aching muscles or joints, weakness or fatigue.

More serious cases require prompt medical care.

Symptoms may include the following: severe headache, altered consciousness, confusion, personality changes, seizures, loss of sensation or paralysis, severe muscle weakness, hallucinations, problems with speech or hearing, loss of consciousness.

Mosquito Borne Diseases in Florida

Florida Arbovirus Weekly Surveillance Reports

Ticks

Originally associated only with transmission of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ticks are now known to be a disease vector for many different diseases. Most recently they have been associated with transmission of Lyme disease, but, depending upon where you live or work, are responsible for other diseases.

In the southeastern U.S. diseases that can be acquired locally include:

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
STARI (Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness)
Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis
HGA - Human granulocytic anaplasmosis
HME - Human monocytic ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichia ewengii ehrlichiosis
Tularemia

Ticks

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – Vectors include the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick. Typical symptoms include: fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain. A rash may also develop, but is often absent in the first few days, and in some patients, never develops. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be a severe or even fatal illness if not treated in the first few days of symptoms.
STARI (Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness) - A rash similar to the rash seen in Lyme disease has been found in people following bites of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). The rash of STARI is a red, expanding "bull's eye" lesion that develops around the site of a lone star tick bite. The rash may be accompanied by fatigue, fever, headache, muscle and joint pain. However, unlike Lyme disease, STARI has not been linked to any arthritic, neurological, or chronic symptoms.

Ticks

Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis - Transmitted by the Gulf Coast Tick. Fever, headache, eschar(s), variable rash
HGA - Human granulocytic anaplasmosis - Previously known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and has more recently been called human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Anaplasmosis is transmitted to humans by tick bites primarily from the black-legged tick, nymphs and adult ticks. Typical symptoms include: fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. Usually, these symptoms occur within 1-2 weeks of a tick bite. A rash is not usually associated with this disease.
Ehrlichia ewengii ehrlichiosis – Transmitted by the Gulf Coast tick, the symptoms are similar to anaplasmosis. A rash may be seen in up to 30% of adults but is not a hallmark of the disease.

If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of working in a tick infested area or removing a tick, see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick.

Ticks

Prevention

Use an insecticide that is effective against ticks
Cover up with long shirts and long pants tucked into socks.
Ticks must stay attached for more than 24 hours to transmit the parasite, so perform a full body check soon after being outdoors in a tick-prone area.
Take a shower within two hours of being in an area with ticks, this provides a good time to check for ticks on your body.
When checking for ticks, include hard-to-see areas such as between toes, between legs, and on the head.
Throw your clothes into the dryer for 30-60 minutes on a heated setting before washing the clothes.

Ticks

Removal

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Avoid folklore remedies such as "painting" the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible--not waiting for it to detach.

For more information, visit the Tick Encounter Resource Center

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is caused by several different species (serovars) of leptospira bacteria.

Also known by many other names, including rat fever, swamp fever and mud fever.
Leptospirosis is likely the most common zoonosis in the world.
The bacteria is typically spread through the urine of infected animals.
Once the bacteria gets into water or soil it can survive there for weeks to months.
Over 160 kinds of animals have been shown to carry the bacterium (rodents, raccoons, opossums, pigs, dogs, and horses).
Infected animals may have no signs of the disease (asymptomatic carriers).
Infected animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while for a few months up to several years.

Leptospirosis

Humans can become infected through contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals or contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the bacteria from infected animals.
The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection.
The disease can have a wide range of symptoms, including high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, red eyes, rash, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Leptospirosis

The disease can be asymptomatic (no signs) but often occurs in two phases:

Phase 1 - fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea may resolve but may comes back as,
Phase 2 - kidney or liver failure, meningitis, uveitis, congestive heart failure, myocarditis, pericarditis, pulmonary bleeding, or pneumonia
Failure to seek medical attention can potentially be fatal.

Prevention:

Avoid contact with animal urine or body fluids, especially if there are any cuts or abrasion of the skin.
Do not swim in, walk in, or swallow water that may contain animal urine.
Wear protective clothing or footwear near soil or water that may be contaminated with animal urine.

Tularemia

Tularemia is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis
Also known as Rabbit Fever or Deerfly Fever; occurs in almost all 50 states
Infection usually occurs via tick or deerfly bites (also mosquitoes, mites, horse flies, and blackflies)
Can be transmitted by handling infected animals (rabbits, hares, and rodents are reservoirs)
Minor routes of exposure: drinking contaminated water, eating infected meat, or inhalation of bacteria
Signs include: Sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, joint pain, swollen and painful eyes, sore throat, dry cough, difficulty breathing or pneumonia, and progressive weakness.
Commonly there are ulcers on the skin or mouth and swollen and painful lymph glands.
Wear insect repellent.
Don’t handle dying or dead animals with bare hands.

Rabies

Rabies is caused by a virus and can cause an acute, progressive encephalomyelitis.
Rabies has the highest fatality rate of any conventional (non-warfare) disease agent. However, while there may be as many as 40,000 human exposures to rabies each year, usually only 1-8 cases are reported.
In the U.S. there are 7,000-10,00 animal cases reported each year.
The largest number (92%) are in wild animals, primarily raccoons, skunks, and bats. Foxes, bobcats, and coyotes are another source. Even rodents and lagomorphs can occasionally carry rabies. In domestic animals, rabies can be transmitted from dogs, cats, and even farm animals.
The best action is prevention. Avoid wild animals that act friendly or tame. Rabid animals might also be having a hard time walking, flying, eating, or drinking. Animals that are usually active at night may be seen during the daytime if they are rabid.

Rabies

Avoid being bitten, but also avoid the saliva and brain or nervous tissue of suspect animals.
Rabies is a medical urgency but not an emergency.
Do not delay being seen by a doctor. It can take weeks to a few months for rabies symptoms to appear after exposure; by then it might be too late.
Early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort.
Progresses to anxiety, agitation, delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, insomnia, coma, and death.
If bitten or scratched in the field, be sure to clean the wound thoroughly and provide prompt wound care.
Treatment with vaccine and rabies immune globulin after exposure may be determined necessary by a doctor.

Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that may be carried by some rodents.
U.S. hantaviruses are New World hantaviruses. In their most dangerous form, they can cause a rare but deadly disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). (Old World hantaviruses typically cause renal hemorrhagic fever.)
Variants that can cause HPS include the Black Canal virus (carried by cotton rats), the Bayou virus (carried by rice rats), the New York virus (carried by white-footed mice), the Monongohela virus (carried by deer mice), and the more dangerous Sin Nombre virus (also carried by deer mice). Other, non-HPS associated variants are also found in the U.S.
Exposure usually occurs when rodent urine and droppings that contain a hantavirus are stirred up into the air. People can also become infected when they touch mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. They can also get hantavirus from a mouse or rat bite.

Hantavirus

Carriers include:
(Click for more information)

Hantavirus

It may take 1 to 5 weeks after exposure before people become sick.
Early symptoms are the same as many other illnesses and include:

Fever and fatigue
Severe muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups—thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders
Dizziness
Chills

In the more serious pulmonary syndrome (HPS), 4-10 days later people may exhibit coughing and breathing difficulty.

Prevention:

Eliminate or minimize contact with rodents at chosen campsites or worksites.
Avoid disturbing nests and burrows where possible.
Wear appropriate PPE (mask and gloves).
Disinfect gloves before removing and discarding. Disinfect equipment that comes into contact with rodents or rodent urine and droppings.

Salmonellosis

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause disease by direct contact or by ingestion of contaminated food or fluid.
It is much more commonly a problem of contaminated products in the human food chain or exotic pet trade.
It can be transmitted from wild birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Be especially conscious of possible transmission with long term holding of captured wildlife.
Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps usually develop 12 to 72 hours after exposure and illness may last for 4-7 days.
Wash hands with soap after handling amphibians, reptiles, and wild birds and after possible contact with animal feces. Hand sanitizer may be substituted but soap and water is preferred.
Seek medical attention if illness is severe or prolonged.

When All Else Fails and an Accident or Illness Occurs…

There are at least six different areas to be addressed in the event of a crisis. They are all interrelated and are:

Emergency response and rescue
Stress and psychological issues for students, faculty, and staff (including rescue personnel) affected by the incident.
Post-incident responses: getting students home or back to campus, medical care, follow-up information, debriefing, etc.
Dealing with the family
Dealing with the press
Dealing with the legal and liability issues

For incidents requiring more than simple first aid, following step 1 – the person in charge in the field must contact AmeriSys at 1-800-455-2079 and their supervisor for additional guidance. If the accident results in an individual’s death, the supervisor or designated Department representative shall immediately report the death to EH&S at 644-6895 and the Division of Workers' Compensation Claims at 1-800-219-8953.

Links and References

Heat Illness Prevention and Response Fact Sheet
Back Country Safety Equipment and Training
Wilderness and Remote First Aid
Florida’s Snakes
Florida Snakes Visual Identification
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Guide to Living with Alligators brochure
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Guide to Living with Crocodiles brochure
Center for Food Security and Public Health – Zoonotic Diseases
Tick-borne Diseases Affecting Humans in the Southeastern United States
Field Biosafety Issues in Animal Biosafety Research, Dr. Sue VandeWoude, Colorado State University
Safety and Health for Field Work Handbook, USGS
Safety Guidelines for Field Researchers, UC Berkley

Adaptations of the UC Berkley guidelines: University of Texas at Austin, Duke University, Virginia Tech, Arizona State University, Ohio State University and others

University of Hawaii Fieldwork Safety Guidelines
Gochfeld, M., Volz, C.D., Burger, J., Jewett, S., Powers, C.W. and Friedlander, B. Developing a Health and Safety Plan for Hazardous Field. J Occ Env Hygiene (2006), 3:671-683.
CDC NIOSH Poison Plants, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants
CDC NIOSH Insects and Scorpions , http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/insects
University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Administrative Guidelines: Fieldwork in Forested, Brush Covered, Grassland and Wetland Areas
University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, Safety Note #88, Fieldwork Safety: Fire Preventative and Defensive Measures

Completion Quiz

Complete the following form to receive credit for training.