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• May 20, 2008 5:53 pm US/Eastern
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  Officials See Jump In Reported Lyme Disease Cases

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Officials See Jump In Reported Lyme Disease Cases

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) ― We're now in Lyme disease season. In Maryland, the number of cases has been climbing.

Alex DeMetrick reports Howard County has become a hot spot for the disease.

It takes a magnifying glass to really see the deer ticks that carry Lyme disease.  As juveniles, they feed on field mice, which act as hosts for the disease.  As adults, the ticks pass the disease along to deer, which become new hosts.  It jumps from deer to people when those same ticks bite us, leaving a tell-tale rash that looks like a bullseye.

"If you see that, it's almost assuredly Lyme disease," said Dr. Peter Beilenson with Howard County Health Department. "Howard County has been described as the perfect storm for Lyme disease, in that it's rapidly developing.  People are looking for new places to build and the only places to go are on woodlands and grassy areas, which is tick habitat."

While Lyme disease is rarely fatal, it is best to remove ticks as soon as possible. If a rash or flu-like symptoms develop, see a doctor.

When detected early, Lyme disease is easily treated with oral antibiotics.

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