Tick-borne illness cases on the increase
From: Jd8Selena (jd8selena_at_aol.com)
Date: 09/06/04
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Date: 06 Sep 2004 04:36:14 GMT
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Tick-borne illness cases on the increase
September 05, 2004
Pat Coleman
Sun Journal Staff
State public health officials reported this week that the number of
cases involving tick-borne illnesses is substantially higher than at the
same time last year, and prevention is the key to avoiding them.
"Ticks are part of the ecology of this area and always will be," said
Eugene McRoy, vector program manager for the Craven County Health
Department. "It's just a matter of doing the best we can to avoid exposure
to them."
According to a report from the N.C. Department of Health and Human
Services, Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases are up 106 percent, from 97 to
200, from this year over last. Lyme disease cases are up 30 percent, from 56
to 73.
McRoy said Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) looks very
much like Lyme disease. It is also a bacterial infection, but does not
result in the same arthritis-like symptoms and long-term health problems
that have been associated with Lyme disease. Since Lyme disease can be more
serious in older people or those with other health problems, McRoy advises
on erring on the side of caution.
"We always recommend tucking in your pant legs, applying products that
will actually keep the ticks away," he said.
McRoy said repellants containing permethrin are available for treating
clothing. DHHS also recommends repellants containing DEET that can be
applied to skin.
Public health officials recommend checking for ticks frequently and
removing them quickly, using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close
to the skin surface as possible. Use steady, even pressure to remove the
tick. Twisting or jerking the tick may cause the mouthparts to break off in
the skin.
According to DHHS, if symptoms of tick-borne disease appear within
three weeks, medical help should be sought. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain
spotted fever include sudden onset of fever, headache and muscle pain,
followed by a rash.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include a bull's eye rash around the bite,
accompanied by fever, malaise, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and joint
pain.
Pat Coleman can be reached at 638-8101 ext. 260 or
pat_coleman@link.freedom.com.
© 2004 by Freedom ENC Communications.
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