Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County
July 2019
Avoid Lyme Disease By Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus University of Vermont
In this issue:
include minor symptoms such as skin Lyme disease is a potentially disarash, fever, headaches, and muscle bling disease of joints and the nerv- and joint pain. Very characteristic, ous system, spread by deer ticks. but not always present, is a skin rash Knowing about this disease, how it is called “erythema migrans”. This rash spread, and steps to avoid it, will al- appears as a red circular patch at the low you to continue gardening or site of a tick bite within three days to enjoying the outdoors, along with one month. As it enlarges, this patch your pets, without concern for these often takes on a “doughnut” or “bulls spider relatives. eye” appearance. This previously unknown disease was first found on children in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. It was given its current name, ticks were identified as the vector spreading it, and in the early 1980’s research identified the cause as a spirochete bacterium. It has since become the most reported vector-borne disease in the country. It is prevalent in the Northeast, and parts of the upper Midwest, with reported cases in most every other state. While Pennsylvania, the Hudson Valley of New York, and southern New England areas are high risk, much of the rest of New England is moderate risk with only the most northern parts low risk.
As ticks like warm spots, parts of the body to watch are thighs, groin, trunk, scalp, and armpits. Ticks don’t fly or jump, so you must come in contact with them and they crawl once on a body. Ticks are generally present within 18 to 24 inches of the ground. Although there are no vaccines to prevent Lyme disease, it can be treated with antibiotics once diagnosed. Prompt treatment, however, is important. Early treatment usually results in full and rapid recovery. Permanent damage may occur if treatment is in the very late stages.
Three types of ticks can carry Lyme disease, but the deer (black-legged) Although this disease is rarely fatal, it ticks spread this in the Northeastern can cause debilitating illness includ- and North Central states. Ticks feed ing heart irregularities, facial paraly- on small rodents, birds, and deer that sis, and impairment of the nervous may carry the Lyme disease but not system. Early symptoms to watch for (Continued on page 3)
What is Your Garden Style?
4
Big Dogs, Little Dogs Get Disc Disease
6
Benefits of Honey
7
Should You Wear Sunscreen?
8
Keeping Score? What 9 Your Credit Score Says About You Cornell Chicken Barbecue Recipe
10
10th Annual CCE Golf Tournament & Silent Auction
11
Special points of interest:
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