Guest guest Posted April 30, 2000 Report Share Posted April 30, 2000 To All, FYI. Larry NV Lyme disease cases up 70% in the 1990s April 28, 2000 NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Lyme disease appears to be on the rise, with the majority of cases occurring in the northeastern and north-central US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in Atlanta, Georgia. There was a 70% increase in the number of reported cases of the tick-borne illness between 1992 and 1998, from about 10,000 cases per year to almost 17,000. Ninety-two percent of the cases occurred in only ten states -- New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, land, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Delaware. The jump in cases may be due to an increased number of ticks, although it's possible that a greater public awareness of the illness is leading to more diagnosis and reporting of cases. Youngsters aged 5- to 9-years-old and adults aged 45- to 54-years-old are most likely to be diagnosed with the disease, which is caused by bacteria transmitted via a tick bite. Lyme disease is characterized by rash, fever, fatigue and joint pain. Antibiotics can eradicate the bacteria and prevent long-term problems if started early enough. Boys between the ages of 5 and 19 and men over 60 years have a higher rate of infection than females. However, it is not clear if this is because males are more likely to come into contact with infected ticks, less likely to use measures to avoid tick bites, or are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease, according to the report published in the April 27th issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Most cases occur in June, July and August, when ticks in the immature nymph state tend to feed, and outdoor activities are most common among children and adults. In the nymph stage, the tick is about the size of a poppy seed, and may easily stay attached to the body long enough to transmit the bacteria. To avoid contracting Lyme disease, CDC officials suggest wearing tick repellents and light colored clothing to make the ticks more visible, or avoiding tick-infested areas altogether. However, because these protective measures " can be inconvenient, " researchers are currently working to develop new ways to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. Vaccination should be considered for " persons aged 15-70 years who live in areas of moderate to high risk for Lyme disease and have frequent or prolonged contact with tick habitat, " according to the report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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