Archaeology in the Era of Powassan and Expanding Tick-Borne Infection: Strategies for Prevention. Issue 4 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Merrill; Bulled, Nicola
• Is Part Of: Advances in archaeological practice. Volume 3: Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Archaeology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 930.1028
• DOI: 10.7183/2326-3768.3.4.351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2326-3768

Abstract

Abstract: Archaeologists face a long list of job-related health risks. In recent decades, these health threats have increased because of the expanded ranges of various tick species, the growing number of human tick-borne diseases, the ability of ticks to harbor and simultaneously transmit multiple pathogens, and the spread to humans of zoonotic tick-borne diseases that have a high fatality rate, including the encephalitis-causing Powassan virus. This paper assesses the health risk that ticks pose to archaeologists working in infested areas, discusses the behaviors that put archaeologists at highest risk, and presents a set of recommendations for reducing potential harm.