Flinders Spotted Fever

What is Flinders Island Spotted Fever? What are the symptoms? Flinders Island Spotted Fever (FISF) is an illness caused Symptoms usually start 1-2 weeks after being by bacteria known as Rickettsia honei. bitten by an infected tick. It was first identified on Flinders Island, but has also Common symptoms include fever, headache, been identified elsewhere in and overseas. joint and muscle aches, and extreme tiredness. It is part of a group of illnesses caused by Rickettsia Some people also have a rash. Symptoms bacteria, which includes other Spotted Fever infections usually start suddenly. and typhus infections. There may be a prominent scab at the site of How is it spread? the bite. FISF is spread to humans by a bite from a tick infected How is it diagnosed? with the bacteria. FISF can be difficult to diagnose, but a doctor The tick that carries the FISF bacteria is thought to most may suspect it if typical symptoms develop commonly be found on reptiles. after being in a high-risk area, particularly if there is a history of a tick bite. In , infections have been acquired on Flinders Island; the East Coast, including ; and The diagnosis may be made by blood tests possibly as far south as Kettering and the Midlands. taken one to two weeks apart, which detects the body's immune response to the infection. However, the ticks which can carry the disease are in other parts of Tasmania and it is possible the disease How is it treated? can be caught from a much wider geographical area. FISF can be treated with antibiotics such as Infections can occur throughout the year, but the risk doxycycline. increases during spring and summer months when ticks If there is a strong clinical suspicion of are most active and when camping and other outdoor infection, treatment should begin without activities are more common. waiting for the results of laboratory tests. Infections occur in people of all ages. Symptoms usually resolve quickly with treatment.

How is it prevented? What should I do if I have Flinders Island Spotted Fever? No vaccine is available to prevent FISF or any other type of typhus infection. There is no risk of spreading FISF to others around you and you do not need to isolate The best way to prevent these types of infections is to yourself. minimise exposure to ticks. This includes: If you think you may have FISF, please see • Use of personal insect repellents your usual GP. • Wear long sleeves and long pants to minimise exposed skin. If you have been prescribed a course of • Impregnate clothing with tick-repellent. antibiotics, please ensure that you take the whole course. • Campers can use camp beds to elevate them above the ground For further information: • Check your skin for ticks. Call the Public Health Hotline – Tasmania on If you do find a tick on your skin, you need to remove 1800 671 738 to speak to a clinical nurse it carefully. consultant. Advice is to remove with fine tipped forceps by grasping as close to the skin’s surface as possible and 04 June 2020 pulling up with steady pressure.

Before removal, the tick can be sprayed with an aerosol insect repellent containing permethrin or a pyrethroid chemical. If you suffer from allergic reactions to ticks, please seek medical attention rather than trying to remove it yourself. More information on removing ticks can be found at www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Conten t/ohp-tick-bite-prevention.htm