Apr 22, 2009 6:23 pm US/Eastern
Lyme Disease Diagnoses Are Increasing
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Much of the mid-Atlantic is seeing a major uptick in the number of reported Lyme disease cases. State and federal statistics show some of the largest increases are right here in Maryland.
Much of the mid-Atlantic is seeing a major uptick in the number of reported Lyme disease cases. State and federal statistics show some of the largest increases are right here in Maryland.
Derek Valcourt has more on what's triggering the increase in the disease.
Howard County is a perfect example of how fast this problem is growing. Here they've tripled the number of Lyme disease cases in just one year.
Near Patapsco Valley State Park, plenty of deer mean plenty of ticks, which carry Lyme disease. The proof is nearby. There are 11 cases of Lyme disease in this one neighborhood. Jay Lach is one of them.
"Just hit me blindsided. I woke up fatigued and sore, and the next thing I know I have Lyme disease and it's been a nightmare ever since," Lach said.
Numbers for Maryland show the growing problem. There were more than 1,200 Lyme disease cases in 2006, but by the next year, the state's cases more than doubled. In Anne Arundel County, there are 196 cases. There are 47 cases in Baltimore City, but there were none the year before. Numbers are up in Carroll and Harford counties. In Howard County, there were 358 cases in 2007. That's triple the number from the year before.
"The doubling or tripling in the state and in the county specifically are of concern because it's a debilitating disease," said Dr. Peter Beilenson with the Howard County Health Department.
May, June and July are prime tick bite months. That's why Howard County health officials are trying to educate the public to check for ticks on their bodies, on their children and their pets after spending time outdoors.
"If you have a tick that has embedded, you have at least 24 hours before it actually causes disease," Beilenson said.
He warns that those infected don't always get the bulls-eye rash associated with the disease.
It's something Jay Lach knows too well and a lesson he's trying to pass on to his children.
"We are very cautious now when they come in. We spray them down and things when they go out, but when they come in we do the check and they know when they come in, they're like, `Check me, check me,' so they're pretty well in clue with what's going on," Lach said.
Doctors say if you do have a tick on you, doctors say forget those home remedies. The best way to get rid of them is with tweezers.
More than 15,000 cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Maryland since 2000.
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