LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Lyme disease in Virginia is spreading west and south after having mostly been concentrated in the northern part of the state. Virginia has reported large increases of new cases since 2006.
This trend is expected to continue as deer populations continue to expand in suburban areas, thereby increasing the tick populations which transmit Lyme disease to humans, pets, rodents, and other small mammals.
"This is a very important and emerging infection in Virginia," said Dr. Keri Hall, Virginia Department of Health Epidemiology director.
Lyme disease is transmitted by the black-legged tick (also called the deer tick). The black-legged tick is one of four tick species in the state. The others are the Lone Star tick, the American dog tick and the newly seen Gulf Coast tick. The classic initial Lyme appearance is a small red spot that expands producing a "bull's eye."
Symptoms of Lyme disease include: fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted. Treatment is with antibiotics. Make an appointment with your health care provider to get checked, if needed. Delays in diagnosing Lyme disease can lead to worse symptoms and reduce the chances of a complete cure.
Ticks are abundant on and around Joint Base Langley-Eustis, questing for a victim to attach themselves. Expect to find these disease-transmitting critters living in moist and humid environments, such as wooded and grassy areas. Prevention is the best method of avoiding disease. Make you, your family and pets hard targets by following these simple tips:
· Wear light-colored clothing which allows you to see ticks crawling on your clothing.
· Tuck your pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up the inside of your pant legs.
· Use repellent containing 20 percent or more DEET on skin or clothing to discourage tick attachment; however, while DEET is effective, it only works for a few hours. Products containing permetherin can be used to treat boots, clothes or camping gear and it lasts through several washings and for several days.
· Check your entire body upon return from potentially tick-infested areas and remove them within 24 hours of attachment.
· Tick populations around homes and in recreational areas can be reduced 50--90% through simple landscaping practices, such as removing brush and leaf litter or creating a buffer zone of wood chips or gravel between forest and lawn or recreational areas.
For more information on Lyme Disease and tick removal, visit http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/ or call the Langley Public Health Office at 764-5252.