Table of Contents |
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM LYME DISEASE
There are about 20,000 cases of Lyme disease reported in the United States each year. In Stamford, 56 cases of Lyme disease were clinically reported by physicians and 6 suspected cases were reported based on positive blood tests. This disease is caused by an organism called Borrellia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black legged tick (deer tick). These ticks carry this organism by biting an infected animal. The tick will transmit the disease when it feeds on a human or household pet for an extended period of time. Some common symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, chills, fatigue, joint and bone pain and a skin rash, most commonly a “bulls-eye” rash.
The Stamford Department of Health and Social Services Laboratory offers residents the opportunity to bring in ticks they have found on themselves. The laboratory technicians will examine and submit the ticks to an off-site laboratory to find out if the tick carries the Borrelia burgdorferi organism. Last year in Stamford, 444 ticks were submitted to the laboratory for testing. Of them, 219 were engorged with blood and 58 tested positive for the organism. The City Laboratory offers two options for testing, one is free, but results take 3-6 weeks. The other service costs $40 but results will take 3-5 business days.
There are many things you can do to protect you and your family from Lyme disease: · Make sure to do daily tick checks and prompt removal of ticks. · Avoid tick infested habitats and make sure if you are outside in the woods or grassy areas to wear long sleeves, pants tucked into socks and light clothing so it’s easy to see a tick. Use insect repellent with 20% - 30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing to prevent tick bites. · Landscape yards by removing leaf litter, provide barriers around your yard using wood chips if it borders a forest. · Set up barriers to exclude deer from your yard and consider decreasing the rodent population. · If you do find a tick on you remove it promptly with tweezers, making sure you remove the entire tick and if it is engorged consider having it tested.
If you encounter signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, seek medical attention. Lyme disease may be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can mimic many other disorders. Blood tests can be helpful in the diagnosis of Lyme disease but should not be used exclusively. It is important that medical attention be sought if Lyme disease is a suspected cause of illness.
For more information, visit the City of Stamford website: www.cityofstamford.org, or the State Department of Health website, www.dph.state.ct.us/BCH/infectiousdise/tickborne/lyme.htm
|