Insect, Rodent & Pest Control
Gallatin City-County Health Department’s primary concern is to protect the public’s health, and vector control is an important part of preventing the spread of diseases in our community. Vector is the Latin word for “carrier,” and in the form of certain insect, rodent, or pest, it’s one that carries and transmits disease.
If you have been exposed to any of the following vectors and have questions or concerns, or are exhibiting symptoms, contact your primary care physician.
Head Lice
Chances are that if you are reading this, someone in your family has head lice, or you are worried about getting it. You may be upset or concerned, and that is understandable. Head lice are a nuisance, but they are not dangerous and do not spread disease. For more information, go to Head Lice.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, elusive, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. They commonly nest in mattresses and furniture where people sleep and are mainly active at night when they can feed unnoticed. Bed bugs are not known to carry or transmit disease, however, people can have allergic reactions to bed bug bites, and the bugs are difficult to control. Click here for more Bed Bug Information
Spiders
Spiders are a common pest and some can be poisonous. The Gallatin County Extension Office is your best resource for identification and advice on how to deal with spiders as well as other insects.
For more information, see:
Hantavirus
The Hantavirus infection, which leads to a life-threatening disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), is most commonly spread by a rodent called the deer mouse. Although infected rodents do not show signs of the disease, humans can contract it when exposed to an infected rodent’s urine, droppings, and saliva.
Although it’s not a common disease, Montana has one of the highest incidence rates of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in the U.S., typically with 1 or 2 reported cases each year, making the state second only to New Mexico in the number of cases when adjusted for the state’s population.
Cases typically occur in rural areas, such as forests, fields, and farms where the rodent hosts seem to inhabit. The CDC reports that as of 2011, a total of 587 cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have been reported in the U.S.
Hantavirus can be spread:
- When the droppings or nesting materials of an infected rodent are stirred up, causing it to become airborne.
- When someone touches a contaminated area and then touches their nose or mouth.
- When people eat food contaminated by urine, saliva, or droppings.
- When a rodent bites someone (although this form of transmission is extremely rare).
Common early symptoms, experienced in approximately half of all patients, include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Abdominal problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain)
Common late symptoms (4 to 10 days after early symptoms) include:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Fluid filled lungs
Resources
More information about Hantavirus and HPS from the CDC
Rabies
Rabies is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system of humans and other mammals. People can get rabies if they are bitten by an animal with rabies (raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, or bat). Although rare, it is also possible to get rabies if infectious material (i.e. saliva) gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound.
Although rabies among humans is extremely rare, with only approximately two cases per year in the U.S., bats are the most common source of rabies in humans. Rabies can be a fatal disease, but when people get the rabies vaccination after being bitten by an animal that may have the disease, they are often able to protect themselves.
Most people do not know when they have been bitten by a bat, as the teeth marks are barely visible. Others have woken up when a bat has landed on them and may be unsure if they were bitten. Either way, if bitten, if in doubt, or if you come in contact with a bat’s brain material or saliva:
- Wash the affected area with soap and water,
- Seek medical attention immediately,
- And, if possible, bring the bat into a laboratory for testing.
You cannot contract rabies from watching a bat from afar, or through a bat’s fur, urine, feces, or blood.
If your pet was bitten by a bat, contact your veterinarian immediately, and always make sure to keep animal vaccinations up to date.
For questions, call 406-582-3100.
Resources
Information about bats and rabies from the CDC, along with how to capture a bat for lab testing: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/contact/
Tick-borne Diseases
In Montana, ticks carry two potentially serious diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia. Lyme disease is not typically found in Montana, but travelers should be aware that it is prevalent in other regions of the United States.
Resources
Tick-borne Illness
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus causes inflammation of the brain and can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. West Nile Virus has been detected in Montana. Mosquitoes can transmit other diseases to humans, such as malaria and yellow fever, so people need to take precautions when they travel.