State Announces Expansion of Lyme Disease Programs - CT

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State Announces Expansion of Lyme Disease Programs

By Curtis

12/14/2007

Lyme disease is now squarely in the state's crosshairs with Gov. M. Jodi

Rell's recent launch of a three-part Lyme disease surveillance and education

program.

" Thousands of patients with Lyme disease visit Connecticut doctors every

year, " Gov. Rell said. " We aim to increase community awareness about Lyme, but

we also are pushing forward in our efforts to track Lyme disease cases

electronically. "

Lyme Disease Surveillance Improvements

Lyme disease is diagnosed based primarily on clinical findings. The typical

appearance of a characteristic sign frequently includes a skin rash, often

described as having an expanding " bulls eye " appearance, as well as fever and

joint discomfort. Many patients, however, do not present these symptoms, which

complicates diagnosis and treatment, particularly as the condition often

worsens as it spreads throughout the body.

Lyme disease has been -- and remains -- a physician-reportable disease in

Connecticut, which means that when a physician or clinician " recognizes or has

a strong suspicion " that a patient is presenting with clinical symptoms of

Lyme disease, the diagnosis is to be reported to the Connecticut Department of

Health Announces (DPH) within 12 hours.

As of Jan. 1, 2007, a positive Lyme disease test result became a

laboratory-reportable finding for laboratories that are connected to the

state's

electronic reporting system, which means that a positive test result for Lyme

disease, through a screening or other blood test, must be reported by the lab

performing the test to the DPH. This complex " e-lab " system is currently in

development and is working to overcome technical factors associated with

existing

networks.

In order to move forward with tracking Lyme disease electronically, as well

as to obtain additional information regarding positive Lyme disease test

results, the DPH has devised a disease-specific " work around " to increase the

effectiveness of tracking Lyme cases in the state by partnering with

Connecticut's largest provider of medical testing, Quest Diagnostics. Quest has

volunteered to provide this information electronically and on a monthly basis

until

the e-lab reporting system is fully implemented.

Beginning in January 2008, Clinical Laboratory Systems will also make Lyme

disease-related information available regarding the patients they serve.

The DPH has begun to receive reports on Lyme tests performed by Quest from

January through August 2007. These reports will result in approximately 6,000

requests for supplemental clinical information from health care providers:

2,000 have been mailed and approximately 4,000 are in preparation.

Part One of this program also allows for the hiring of a full-time

epidemiologist, as well as a part-time administrative employee dedicated to

tracking

Lyme disease cases in Connecticut. Their duties include generating and sending

requests for information from physicians and evaluating physician responses.

Prevention Education

The DPH will soon release a request for a proposal to expand Lyme disease

prevention education programs that have been developed in the past few years,

in conjunction with the Westport Weston Health District, the Ledge Light

Health District and the Torrington Area Health District. These expanded

programs

will be aimed at two counties in Connecticut: Windham, which has the highest

per capita attack rate of Lyme disease, and Fairfield County, which has the

highest total number of cases.

The emphasis of the expansion will be on education and protection programs,

as well as input and feedback from local communities. This program should

lead to innovative ideas in broadening the Lyme disease prevention message to

the community at large. Previous successful campaigns have included media

outreach, lectures, demonstrations, public service announcements, in-school

curriculum and tick identification information.

DPH/CSMS Partnership

The DPH has partnered with the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) to

provide information to physicians on diagnosing and reporting Lyme disease.

The first article regarding this topic will be submitted for consideration in

an upcoming edition of " Connecticut Medicine, " the medical society's monthly

bulletin to member physicians. It will be aimed at driving up the number of

physicians who respond to DPH requests for Lyme disease clinical data. The

current rate of return on those requests is now 20 percent.

" Our goal is to bring about an efficient, accurate method of recording Lyme

disease cases so that we can make informed long-term policy and planning

decisions. We want to truly understand the risk of the disease and its economic

impact, " said Gov. Rell.

Coughlan, President

MA Lyme Disease Awareness Association

Mashpee, MA

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