Oak Processionary Moth

Health Risks

Risks Too

Skin.

Eyes.

Upper respiratory.

Overall malaise.

Restriction to leisure and recreational activity.

Health Issues OPM

Urticating hairs remain active over a period of >5-7 years.

Each larvae has approximately 700,000 urticating hairs from L4.

Urticating hairs and shed skins persist in a tree for years.

Urticating hairs spread by wind and removal work.

Mechanism Of Urticating Hairs

Mechanical irritation of skin.

Pseudo-alergic reaction causing release toxin thaumetopoiene causing comlete body reaction.

Alergic reaction based on IgE mediated type 1 reaction = difunction of body

How Health Problems Arise

Direct contact with nests or larvea.

Indirect contact with urticating hairs in the air.

May until July: urticating hairs swarm in the air in area's around larvae.

May until August: urticating hairs drift in the wind from nests.

Tree workers are at risk all year round from contacting old nests

Other Health Effects

Local effects on upper respiration tract: similar to sniffle, irritation of upper respiratory tract, sore throat.

General complaints: vomiting, dizziness, fever, malaise.

Limiting residential recreational enjoyment: cycling, hiking limited, windows have to be kept shut, limitation to hang laundry out, childern can not play outside.

Risk Groups

Users of public places

Pets, especialy dogs and horses.

Controllers, Inspectors.