Apr 8, 2009 11:22 pm US/Eastern
Lyme Disease Reports In Maryland Grow
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Reports of Lyme disease in the Washington region have grown in recent years, more than doubling in Virginia and Maryland from 2006 to 2007.
AP
Much of the Mid-Atlantic is seeing a major surge in the number of reported Lyme disease cases. State and federal statistics show some of the largest increases showing up right here in Maryland.
Derek Valcourt reports what's triggering the increase in the disease.
Some of the biggest increases are coming right in our area, where some counties have seen double, triple, even 100 times more cases than in years past.
It only takes one bite from an infected tick to get Lyme disease.
"They traced mine back to '67, I believe," said Jay Wolfenden.
Jay Wolfenden lives with an advanced stage of the disease.
"I have some balance problems, I have arthritis in 95 to 100 percent of my joints. It's infected my organs and every part of my body," said Wolfenden.
He isn't alone. Numbers for Maryland show the growing problem. There were just over 1,200 Lyme disease cases in 2006, but by the next year the state's cases more than doubled, making Maryland sixth in the country for reported Lyme disease.
"We think there must be a true increase in the disease. With doubling that's pretty dramatic," said Dr. Katherine Feldman, Maryland Public Health veterinarian.
State health officials know the numbers are troubling. In Anne Arundel County, 196 cases have been reported. In Baltimore City, 47 cases have been reported. There was none the year before. There were at least 267 cases in Baltimore County, but only two the year before. Numbers are up in Carroll and Harford Counties, and in Howard County they've tripled the number of Lyme disease cases. In Montgomery County, it's quadrupled.
Deer carry the infected ticks and Maryland's huge deer populations may play a role in the increase, but health officials say there's likely more to it.
"Doctors may be more aware of the disease and so they may be more ready to diagnose it in their patients. Patients may be more aware of the disease and therefore seek medical attention more promptly," said Dr. Feldman.
Doctors say those infected don't always get the bulls-eye rash, something Jay Wolfenden with the Central Maryland Lyme Support Group knows too well.
"You know your body better than anybody else, and if you don't feel right start checking in to stuff. It might not be Lyme. It might be some other stuff, but check in to stuff because you know your body," said Wolfenden.
So if you're working outdoors in an area where ticks are likely to be, doctors say you should check your entire body for ticks when you come back inside. If you do have a tick on you, doctors say forget those home remedies. The best way to get rid of them is with a good old-fashioned pair of tweezers.
More than 15,000 cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Maryland since 2000.
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