African Tick Bite Fever
什麼是African Tick Bite Fever
African Tick Bite Fever (ATBF) is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected tick. It was first discovered in 1930, however it was not until 1992 that the agent of the disease, the Rickettsia africae bacterium, was isolated. It is estimated that approximately 4-5% of European travelers returning from sub-Saharan Africa and the West Indies, the regions where ATBF is endemic, become infected with ATBF.
您如何獲得African Tick Bite Fever？
ATBF is contracted through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks carrying the bacteria for ATBF live primarily on cattle but also on livestock and game animals in sub-Saharan Africa and the West Indies. It is estimated that approximately 50% of ticks living on cattle, livestock and game animals carry the bacteria for ATBF.
易感性和抵抗力
Those travelling to the regions of sub-Saharan Africa and the West Indies are at greatest risk of contracting ATBF. Although all persons are susceptible, travellers engaging in outdoor activities in these regions (camping, farming, hiking, hunting, visiting game reserves, etc.) will be at higher risk of infection.
ATBF occurs most commonly from November to April when the ticks carrying the disease are most active.
有哪些症狀？
Symptoms of ATBF include fever, headache, muscle pain and soreness, chills and a rash. The site of the bite(s) may be sore and red in colour with a dark, scabby center. Some people may have no symptoms of infection.
The symptoms of ATBF may appear quite similar to the symptoms of Mediterranean Spotted Fever, however they are typically milder.
Rare symptoms such as inflammation of the lymph nodes, brain and heart have also been reported.
預防措施
防止ATBF的主要預防措施是防止tick蟲叮咬。避免使用高灌木叢和茂密林地的區域。使用含有至少20％DEET的驅蟲劑，並全天重複使用驅蟲劑。始終穿防護服覆蓋裸露的皮膚，使用篩網和蚊帳，並在可能的情況下，使用經芐氯菊酯處理過的衣服/齒輪。返回室內後，洗澡並檢查身體，衣服和裝備是否有for蟲。立即清除所有刻度。沒有可用的疫苗。
治療
The patient should seek medical attention when they suspect that they have been in contact with a tick, find a tick on their body or as soon as symptoms appear.
Doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic for the treatment of ATBF and should be the first treatment given to patients suspected to have contracted ATBF. With doxycycline treatment, symptom relief should be noted within 48 hours. Generally, doxycycline treatment lasts 5-10 days. Tetracycline treatment may also be recommended by medical professionals.
驗證
通常在哪裡發生？
ATBF在撒哈拉以南非洲和印度西部特別流行，尤其是在農村地區，這些地區的infected蟲以及它們所生活的動物更為廣泛。
