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Information on Lyme Disease
With the onset of warmer weather, the threat of Lyme disease rises with the temperature. Lyme disease is the leading tick-borne disease in the U.S. and approximately 12,500 cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1993-97.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium that is spread by the Ixodes ticks. These are black-legged or deer ticks found in the Northeast and western black-legged ticks in the West. The ticks are small, about the size of a sesame seed, and hard to detect. Infection usually comes within 24-72 hours after the tick attaches to the skin and begins with mild, flu-like symptoms that can be followed by a rash. Other complications can develop including problems with the liver, spleen, eyes, heart and blood vessels, lungs, and muscles. Treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease and antibiotics can be helpful in treating later stages of Lyme disease.
The northeastern and upper Midwestern states along with the Pacific northwest see the majority of cases of Lyme disease since the Ixodes tick lives in these regions. New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota, and Wisconsin report the most cases.
The ticks live in any kinds of vegetation such as back yards, woods, sea shores, and parks. They can be active throughout the year, especially in the south. April-June are the key months for Lyme disease infection in the Northeast and November-April sees the highest incidences in the Northwest.
To help avoid the possibility of tick bites, keep children from sitting on the ground in heavily wooded areas such as a park or field trip site. When taking a field trip to a wooded area or sea shore, suggest to parents that children wear long pants and long sleeved shirts. EPA-approved tick repellents may be used. During the warm season months, frequent tick checks of children might be helpful.
Resources
The Lyme Disease Foundation (LDF) has available information including printed materials.
For a free brochure, send a self-addressed stamped, business size envelope to LDF, One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103; 800-886-LYME. A downloadable version of the pamphlet is available at www.lyme.org.
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