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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Looking At Lyme Numbers

Here is a map showing CDC reported numbers in the U.S.A. You should be able to click on the map to enlarge. That little note under the map is very important...it says:
Note: CDC says Lyme disease is under-reported and that only about 10% of cases that meet CDC surveillance criteria are actually reported to the CDC. (For example Oklahoma 362 reported cases=3,620 probable cases meeting CDC criteria)...putting Washington's numbers up near 2,000. This doesn't take into account the many cases not presenting enough bands to qualify for CDC surveillance criteria but still having Lyme disease. You can see how the numbers begin to add up. Lyme is the fastest-growing vector-borne disease in the world.

For more information, please check out the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) or the Lyme Disease Association (LDA)

4 comments:

Stephanie Frieze said...

As the weather improves and people start to get out into the mountains it is good that they get a refresher course in this debilitating disease, Lorraine. Thanks for keeping us aware!

Lorraine Hart said...

You don't have to go to the mountains Stephanie...ticks have tested positive for Lyme on the Key Peninsula, Vashon Island.

No one needs to be afraid of Nature...just sensible. Tuck pants into socks...wear long sleeves, light coloured clothing, DEET if you can handle it...and THE most important thing is to check each other, especially the kids, when you come home. Now is the time of nymph ticks...which are the size of the period at the end of this sentence.

Learn the early signs of Lyme. Educate yourselves...your neighbours...and your doctors.

Stephanie Frieze said...

You are so correct, Lorraine. I should have said out in nature. By all means, everyone, listen up. Lorraine has learned all of this the hard way and seeks to educate the rest of us.

Lorraine Hart said...

Thanks, girlfriend!