Babesia and
Leishmaniasis are not viruses, but they are other tick-borne diseases (protozoa much worse than Lyme disease) and on a par with the Powhassan virus, for nature photographers to worry about.
The former is dangerous, but manageable, while the latter can also be fatal (in fact, Bill Gates is devoting millions to find the cure for
Leishmaniasis.)
While
Leishmaniasis is thought to be a Mediterranean disease, the fact is it has been in the US for over 2 decades, and
the Sand Fly is in fact its #1 vector. (It is 100% fatal to dogs also.)
If you're worried about DEET, you can buy pure Neem Oil and dilute it for organic application. Look for authentic outlets for pure, 100% Neem Oil. As for how to use, Mix 15 ml of Neem Oil with the 16 oz of water. Add 3 ml of Ivory Liquid as an emulsifier and shake well. (If you're using a 32-oz bottle, then add 30 ml of Neem Oil and 5 ml of Ivory Liquid). Shake well to distribute evenly. Apply to all exposed areas of skin.
For those who poo-poo natural derivatives, consider these facts:
- FACT: The most common drug used to repel fleas, flies, mosquitoes, ticks, etc. on pets and livestock (in the United States) is pyrethrin, which is derived from the Chrysanthemum plant
- FACT: The oil derived from the Neem Tree in India contains even stronger insect-repelling properties than the Chrysanthemum plant.
- FACT: Over 60% of all the outstanding drugs, medicines, and other pharmaceuticals that have proven time and again to be effective are NOT permitted in the United States (e.g., such as Berenil). Robert Higgs, who has made it his life's work to invesigate the FDA, concludes that (because it can cost millions to get drugs "approved" by the FDA, as they want their cut) millions of Americans are universally deprived of excellent, proven medicines used effectively in many other places of the world.
Take ticks and blood-borne parasitism seriously. If you don't like using chemical repellents, Neem Oil is perhaps the best organic alternative available.
