From: Robin Chapell, Health Director
Date: July 21, 2006

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is definitely on the rise in Walpole and all of its surrounding communities. In 2004, the Walpole Board of Health had 9 reportable cases of the disease and in 2005 we had 17. It is very important that everyone know what it is, what its symptoms are and how you can prevent yourself from getting it.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that are spread by tiny infected ticks. In Massachusetts it is usually deer tick. The deer ticks cling to plants near the ground in brushy, wooded or grassy places and then climb onto animals and people who brush against the plants (the ticks cannot jump or fly). Very young ticks pick up the bacteria that cause Lyme disease by biting infected animals such as field mice. Slightly older ticks are the most likely to bite and infect humans. The disease is most likely to spread between late May and early Autumn, when ticks are most active.

Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, and even being bitten by a deer tick does not mean that you will always get the disease. The tick must usually be attached to you for at least 24 hours to pass on the bacteria. So removing a tick promptly will greatly decrease your chance of being infected.

So what are its symptoms? In the early stages of the disease, usually a rash will appear where the tick was attached (but not always). The rash can appear from 3 days to a month after the bite. It often starts as s small red area then spreads, clearing up in the center so it looks like a donut. Other symptoms can be flu like symptoms-fever, headache, stiff neck, aching muscles, fatigue, and swollen glands. These symptoms may go away by itself after a few weeks even though the person may remain infected. If the person is not treated, a rash may break out again in different areas on their bodies later on. Also more severe problems can arise. About 60 percent of untreated patients can experience more severe problems. If the patient is treated early with antibiotics, the rash can be cleared up within days and usually this also prevents later problems.

In the later stages, people can experience arthritis in their large joints (usually knees, elbows and wrists). About 10-20% of people left untreated can develop nervous system problems including meningitis or facial weakness. The heart beat can also be affected causing slowing down of the heart rate and fainting.

The easiest way to diagnose Lyme Disease is by recognizing the rash. However, not everyone gets a rash. There are also blood tests that test people's blood for antibodies to the Lyme disease that would indicate they have the disease.

If Lyme Disease is caught in the early stages, there are certain antibodies that can prevent the more serious problems later on. There is no standardized treatment of Lyme disease in its later stages. There is no approved vaccine for human use to prevent Lyme disease.

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid areas where the deer ticks are likely to be found. When that is not possible, there are certain precautions that you should take:

• Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, tuck your pants tightly into your socks.
• If you wear light colors, you can see ticks more readily on your clothing
• Stay in the middle of hiking paths
• Use repellents containing DEET according to the manufacturer's directions or the insecticide permethrin on clothing
• Use mosquito netting to cover infant carriers
• Check for ticks everyday! This is so important-remember if you have a tick on you, it usually has to be imbedded in you for 24 hours before passing on the bacteria. Make sure you check your kids for ticks, every time they come inside (make a game out of it, but make it a routine part of life). Ticks like warm places, so double check the legs, in the groin, in the armpits, along the hairline, and in or behind the ears.
• Remove any ticks promptly using fine point tweezers. Vaseline helps. The tick should not be squeezed or twisted. Try to pull it straight out with steady pressure.
• Know the symptoms of Lyme disease. If you think you have any of the symptoms, please see your doctor right away!

If you have any further questions, please call the Walpole Board of Health office at 508-660-7321.