“Ticked Off:” Lyme Disease and Ticks in Maine

Blue Hill, Maine - Blue Hill Public Library and Blue Hill Heritage Trust will host Lyme disease specialist Dr. Bea Szantyr, and her colleague RN Happy Dickey, both of the nonprofit organization MaineLyme, on Thursday evening, May 30th, at 6:30 at the Library. Their “Tick Talk” will be an informative look at ticks, the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi which causes Lyme disease, the incidence of Lyme disease in Maine, the difficulties of medical diagnosis, and steps people can take to protect themselves and their families.

According to the Maine State Infectious Disease Epidemiology Report for 2012, the state case rate for Lyme disease in Maine reached a record high in 2012 at 82.4 cases per 100,000 persons. There were 7 counties with rates of Lyme higher than the state rate, including Knox County.

Dr. Beatrice Szantyr, board certifiied in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, has been actively engaged in study and research into Lyme disease and related tick-borne disorders, as well as educating and raising awareness about these diseases, since 1994. Dr. Szantyr has lectured to professional and community groups throughout New England. She is a member of the Maine CDC Vector-borne Disease Workgroup, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, on the Board of Directors of the Lyme Digital Library, and serves on the Penquis District Public Health Coordinating Council, among other professional and community groups.

Founding Director Happy Dickey has been a nurse since 1973. She has been studying and teaching about Lyme disease since 1999. She has been attending national conferences since 2000. She currently facilitates several support groups and participates in community and medical education programs. She is a member of ILADS since 2000, formerly on the Board of Directors as Membership Chairperson.

This event is free and open to the public.  For more information contact the Library at 374-5515.