National Lyme Report - Lyme disease danger rising

Lyme disease danger rising

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Lyme disease danger rising
Norwich Bulletin, CT
By BRIAN WALLHEIMER
Norwich Bulletin

Even though summer unofficially ends this Labor Day weekend, the dangers of summer can still be lurking in the woods or in back yards.

The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich is reporting an abnormally high number of Lyme disease cases this summer, 28 in July. That's up 13 from the same month last year. Statewide there have been 1,336 cases reported this season. There were only 1,810 all of last year.

The Lyme disease bacteria is spread through deer ticks and can cause swelling of joints, fever, aches and fatigue. It can be potentially fatal, though that is rare.

Tom Forschner, executive director of the Lyme Disease Foundation in Tolland, said the increase in the number of Lyme cases is due to the increase in the number of ticks this year.

"It's slightly higher than normal because of the amount of rain in the spring and early summer," Forschner said. "That's perfect for ticks. Unfortunately, everyone pays attention to mosquitoes."

Forschner said the cool weather the region is seeing now doesn't mean ticks are on the decline. As long as the weather isn't freezing, ticks can be a threat, he said.

He said the number of Lyme disease cases reported statewide is likely to escalate in September, because people bitten in August wouldn't have symptoms for weeks or even months.

"It's unfortunate that we don't have a definitive test to tell us who's infected and who's not infected," Forschner said.

Robin Heard, clinical coordinator of the epidemiology department at ...Backus Hospital , said anyone bitten by a tick should let a doctor know and look for the telltale sign of Lyme disease: a bull's-eye-shaped rash. She said a common misconception is the rash will occur only where the bite happened.

"These rings can actually migrate to other parts of the body," Heard said.

Sprague First Selectman Dennison Allen saw the ring on himself recently and has been on antibiotics to rid himself of his fourth bout with Lyme disease. He thinks he could have gotten it cutting the grass or walking through the woods in town.

"This last time beat the tar out of me," Allen said. "I was tired and my joints ached more than before."

Heard said the effects of Lyme disease can vary, but usually aren't too serious.

"It's not an emergency like you run to the emergency department unless you're having severe symptoms," Heard said.

But she warned about not taking the disease seriously if it is spotted.

"If it goes undetected and untreated for a long time, it can be a lifelong chronic illness," Heard said.

Forschner said anyone feeling lethargic and unmotivated for a long period of time should have themselves checked out. He said that after removing a tick, it can be taken to a local health department and tested for Lyme disease.

He said 1,336 cases statewide might not seem like a lot, but doctors don't have to report Lyme disease. There are likely 20 times more cases than reported, he said.

Reach Brian Wallheimer at 425-4241 or bwallheimer@ norwichbulletin.com

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Lyme disease danger rising