Howard now leads the state in Lyme disease
Figures from 2008 show county rise, statewide drop
By Heather Carney
hcarney@patuxent.com
Posted 7/23/09
Howard County had the highest number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the state in 2008, according to a recent report from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
There were 369 confirmed and probable cases reported in Howard County in 2008, according to the report, 11 more than in 2007.
Montgomery County, which had been tops in the state, was second to Howard in 2008 with 314 cases, down from 475 the previous year.
Statewide, the total decreased from 2,576 cases in 2007 to 2,216 in 2008.
No data is available yet on the number of cases reported in 2009.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by an infected tick, according to the state health department. It is treatable if caught early, but if not treated may cause chronic symptoms that can include joint pain, heart palpitations and neurological problems.
Howard County Health Officer Peter Beilenson attributed the increase here to the county’s growing development.
“We’re developing more in areas that were originally woodland, decreasing the distance between the forests where ticks are more prevalent and where people live,” Beilenson said.
Elizabeth Bohle, director for the county Health Department’s division of communicable disease, said Lyme disease is better-reported now because people are much more informed about the disease.
Since 2006, the number of reported cases in the county has tripled.
“In the county, we’ve really had it as a priority to follow up on Lyme disease through education, and devoting many of our resources to tracking each reported case,” Bohle said. “We’ve just created a much more heightened awareness in the clinicians and the public.”
She added that Howard County is a particularly good breeding environment for Lyme disease because of the high numbers of deer and white-footed mice, both of which are carriers of the black-legged tick that transmits the disease.
Bohle also noted that the county is plentiful in parks, forests, lakes and other moisture-rich locations, where ticks flourish.
Beilenson said the best approach to prevention is educating the public about ticks and teaching people to check for ticks after they’ve been outside and to remove the ticks quickly if they find any. He added that in most cases, a tick must be attached to the skin for 24 hours for the disease to be transmitted.
“I use the mentality, what would I do if I found a tick on my child? I would automatically take them to the doctor to get them checked,” Beilenson said.
The county health department, which held a series of sessions on Lyme disease in March and April, is planning another session near the end of August.
Lyme primer:
How Lyme disease is transmitted: Through the bite of an infected black-legged tick.
Symptoms: From three to 30 days after a tick bite, a gradually expanding rash occurs at the site of the bite in three-quarters of infected people. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and fatigue. If untreated, symptoms include a loss of muscle tone in the face, severe headaches and neck stiffness, shooting pains, heart palpitations, dizziness and joint pains.
How to treat: Most cases are cured with antibiotics, especially when caught early. See your doctor.
How to prevent: Use insect repellent when outside, and if possible, wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into your socks. After being outside in wooded areas, check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks.
To remove ticks: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick close to the skin and gently pull it straight up until all of the tick is removed. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products to remove ticks.
For more information: Go to edcp.org/vet_med/lyme_disease.html.
Source: Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
There were 369 confirmed and probable cases reported in Howard County in 2008, according to the report, 11 more than in 2007.
Montgomery County, which had been tops in the state, was second to Howard in 2008 with 314 cases, down from 475 the previous year.
Statewide, the total decreased from 2,576 cases in 2007 to 2,216 in 2008.
No data is available yet on the number of cases reported in 2009.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by an infected tick, according to the state health department. It is treatable if caught early, but if not treated may cause chronic symptoms that can include joint pain, heart palpitations and neurological problems.
Howard County Health Officer Peter Beilenson attributed the increase here to the county’s growing development.
“We’re developing more in areas that were originally woodland, decreasing the distance between the forests where ticks are more prevalent and where people live,” Beilenson said.
Elizabeth Bohle, director for the county Health Department’s division of communicable disease, said Lyme disease is better-reported now because people are much more informed about the disease.
Since 2006, the number of reported cases in the county has tripled.
“In the county, we’ve really had it as a priority to follow up on Lyme disease through education, and devoting many of our resources to tracking each reported case,” Bohle said. “We’ve just created a much more heightened awareness in the clinicians and the public.”
She added that Howard County is a particularly good breeding environment for Lyme disease because of the high numbers of deer and white-footed mice, both of which are carriers of the black-legged tick that transmits the disease.
Bohle also noted that the county is plentiful in parks, forests, lakes and other moisture-rich locations, where ticks flourish.
Beilenson said the best approach to prevention is educating the public about ticks and teaching people to check for ticks after they’ve been outside and to remove the ticks quickly if they find any. He added that in most cases, a tick must be attached to the skin for 24 hours for the disease to be transmitted.
“I use the mentality, what would I do if I found a tick on my child? I would automatically take them to the doctor to get them checked,” Beilenson said.
The county health department, which held a series of sessions on Lyme disease in March and April, is planning another session near the end of August.
Lyme primer:
How Lyme disease is transmitted: Through the bite of an infected black-legged tick.
Symptoms: From three to 30 days after a tick bite, a gradually expanding rash occurs at the site of the bite in three-quarters of infected people. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and fatigue. If untreated, symptoms include a loss of muscle tone in the face, severe headaches and neck stiffness, shooting pains, heart palpitations, dizziness and joint pains.
How to treat: Most cases are cured with antibiotics, especially when caught early. See your doctor.
How to prevent: Use insect repellent when outside, and if possible, wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into your socks. After being outside in wooded areas, check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks.
To remove ticks: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick close to the skin and gently pull it straight up until all of the tick is removed. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products to remove ticks.
For more information: Go to edcp.org/vet_med/lyme_disease.html.
Source: Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
user comments (1)
user citizentaxpayerjane says...
With Howard's Anti-Animal laws, it's no wonder there is a mouse problem. Next: Rats second only to Baltimore City.
Posted 6:48 AM, 07.21.09 | Permalink
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