Mites an Emerging Zoonosis?

A new study published in the magazine/journal, Nature, indicates that 71% of all emerging diseases are zoonic in source. This means that humans contract the previously less common or even entirely non-human disease from animals. Also, Dr. Lonnie King said in a 2004 JAVMA article that "80% of bioterrorist agents are zoonic" in origin, adding that "We are just as likely to find these new diseases in our clinics or veterinary diagnostic laboratories, as we are to find them in a human hospital" (JAVMA). The disturbing increase in Bird and Rodent Mite infestations appears to fit perfectly into the definition of an emerging zoonosis.

What puzzles me is that doctors and entomologysts are often incredulous when faced with an emergent ectoparasistosis. Their days are often full of the routine of common diseases and common bugs. The only place where the two, diseases and bugs, are believed to meet is in scabies or perhaps a disease passed on to humans by bugs, such as fleas and the plague. Unfortunately the world we live in is far more complex than this.

The mathematical realities of medical and entomological textbooks are bent in the real world. To quote Hammond from Michael Crichton's Jurrassic Park, "Life will find a way." When mites, collembola, and other such pathogenic creatures are faced with either death or a new host, they will most certainly choose the new host and in some cases they will find a way to infest that new host for long periods of time.

The rat mites contracted in a house where the rat has died will not feel obligated to stay in that house or stay in that city or state--as though they could read textbooks or the laws of nature concerning climate or range imposed on them by an academic sitting in his office. These mites will feed on the humans and if possible hitch a ride to a new rodentine host, perhaps many state lines away in a different city only to wait until their new productive rat has been expired and then on to find new hosts.

What is causing this? One factor might be climate change. Another might be farming practices. In the case of bird mites, poultry farms are often infested with bird mites and attempts to erradicate the mites with pesticides not only fail, but create super-resistent mites that can then be swapped with wild birds and then passed on to human living environments. Transportation in an increasingly interconnected world (globalization) also playes a part.

Whatever the reason, one could create a graph of all the mite infestation data available--perhaps one indicator might be the reports found on the net--and then see in what form these infestations appear on the graph. It would appear that we are on a severe upward spike.

After contracting my mite infestation, I have found out that a good friend of mine struggled with a long term infestation of the same kind just a year ago. About a month into my struggle, another friend had his apartment invaded by mites from a pigeon. What is strange about this is that growing up I never hear of mites from animals attacking humans. Now, not only is the web riddled with mite suffering people, people in my close social group are being attacked by mites unrelated to those plaguing the others.

In addition, another friend informed me that there are two family's in my county whose property has been infested by mites and are struggling with them as I write. How many people and families need to suffer for scientists to finally take note and for doctors and entomologists to find lasting solutions?

The WHO's definition for Emerging Zoonosis, a perfect fit for bird and rodent mite infestations.

"Contrary to 'lingering' zoonoses, public awareness of 'emerging' zoonoses is very high. The WHO/FAO/OIE joint consultation on emerging zoonotic diseases held in Geneva, 3-5 May 2004, defined an emerging zoonosis as 'a zoonosis that is newly recognized or newly evolved, or that has occurred previously but shows an increase in incidence or expansion in geographical, host or vector range'. Emerging zoonotic diseases have potentially serious human health and economic impacts and their current upwards trends are likely to continue.

"Many factors lead to the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Environmental changes, human and animal demography, pathogen changes and changes in farming practice are a few of them. Social and cultural factors such as food habits and religious beliefs play a role too" (WHO: Emerging Zoonosis)

February 2008: BBC on the Map of Emerging Diseases