Infectious agents

Biological hazards

Exposure to some biological agents such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, protozoa and other biological hazards can result in severe infections, allergies or toxic effects.

Biological agents can cause three types of diseases: infections, allergies and poisoning (or toxic) effects. Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the human body by penetrating broken skin, or by settling on mucous membranes (mucous membranes are the layers of epithelial tissue, which lines an area of the body that comes into contact with air such as nasal passages and the mouth)

They can also be inhaled or swallowed, leading to infections of the upper respiratory tract or digestive system.

Whenever you are in contact with natural or organic materials like soil, clay, plant materials or substances of animal origin (fur blood, other body fluids or excrement) you may be exposed to biological agents.

Cleaning enclosures/cages should be completed carefully, disposable gloves worn at all times and hands thoroughly washed immediately.

Ticks

There are 68 tick species recorded from Australia, but on the humid east coast strip almost all tick bites on humans are from just one species, the Australian Paralysis Tick (Ixodesholocyclus).

Reactions to tick bites vary from mild, localized redness and swelling to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Responses to tick bites depend on how an individual’s immune system reacts to tick saliva, which contains a number of biologically active chemicals, including allergens and paralyzing toxins.
When you go on a rescue in a known or suspected tick area there are some things you can do to minimise the risk of bites.

Before the Rescue

• Apply a standard repellent to areas of exposed skin, focusing on the waist, neckline and ankles

• Wear long, protective clothing and tuck long trousers into socks
  

After the Rescue

• Check for ticks daily, especially along the hairline, head and neck
• Be conscious of any area of irritation or soreness

Removal of Ticks

Several applications of a pyrethroid or pyrethrin insecticide applied directly on the tick, with 1-minute intervals and letting the dead tick shrivel and fall out by itself is the ideal way to kill and remove a tick. For this treatment, repellants will not work, as they do not contain insecticide. Anti-scabies cream (e.g. ‘Lyclear’) is also suitable for this method of tick removal. It should be noted that within Australia, there are currently only a few appropriate insecticides approved for use on human skin.

If a suitable pyrethroid or similar solution is not obtainable then you will need to pull the tick out. To do this, grip the ‘head’ area with fine tweezers and pull firmly. It is difficult to remove ticks using this method without breaking the mouthparts, although if mouthparts detach they will die and will not continue to burrow further into the skin.

Seek medical advice if any unusual symptoms, fever, rash, paralysis or breathing difficulties occur after tick bites. Tick typhus and Lyme disease are rare in Australia but are known to be carried by Paralysis ticks