“Tick Talk”

“Tick Talk” May 19 at Camden Public Library

                 

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month, and the Camden Public Library will again host Lyme disease specialist Dr. Bea Szantyr, on Tuesday evening, May 19, at 7:00 pm. Dr. Szantyr’s “Tick Talk” is 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 you can take to protect yourself and your family. Concern about Lyme disease is growing as the incidence of Lyme cases increases. The deep snow and cold weather this winter are not expected to reduce tick populations.

The national CDC (Center for Disease Control) notes that Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the United States. Dr. Szantyr notes, “Lyme disease does occur nationwide, and there is a concentration of cases in the Northeast, upper midwest, and parts of California. Cases are reported from every state in the nation, but unfortunately when the disease is considered uncommon in an area, a diagnosis is more likely to be missed!” In 2012 the CDC reported that Maine had an incidence of 66.6 cases per 100,000 population, the highest infection rate in the nation, followed by Vermont at 61.7.

The Maine State CDC reports that the state case rate for Lyme disease in Maine reached a record high in 2013 at 103.6 cases per 100,000 persons. There were eight counties with rates of Lyme higher than the state rate (Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, and York). “Untreated infections can lead to clinical findings in skeletal, cardiac, and nervous systems,” the CDC reports. “Disseminated manifestations of disease include: arthritis characterized by recurrent, brief attacks of joint swelling; lymphocytic meningitis; cranial neuritis (such as Bell’s palsy); encephalitis; and second or third degree atrioventricular block.” Other diseases also carried by ticks include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, powassan, and spotted fever rickettsiosis.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include the formation of a characteristic expanding rash (erythema migrans, EM) 3-30 days after a tick bite. This rash occurs in approximately 70% of patients nationally.  However, in Maine, EM is reported in just over 50% of patients. Fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, and fatigue are also common during the first several weeks. Lyme disease is rarely, if ever, fatal.

Dr. Szantyr’s exploration of Lyme disease and other chronic debilitating illnesses began more than ten years ago and now consists of thousands of hours in related activities. She is a member of the Vector Borne Disease Workgroup in the state of Maine as well as a member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. She has lectured to professional and community groups throughout Maine and New England on Lyme disease and associated tick-borne disorders.

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