Is Lyme Disease Epidemic In Georgia?
Over the past few decades, there was a false sense of comfort knowing that LD did not flourish in extremely hot and cold regions. But, more and more cases of LD are being found in places like Canada, Florida, Utah and now Georgia. I think we should just play it safe and assume it’s everywhere.
Excerpted from CBSatlanta.com ( Posted: 05/20/2010 )
ATLANTA — Dozens of Georgians say they contracted Lyme disease here in the state, but were denied treatment by local doctors who say the disease is rare in the Southeast.
Lyme disease It’s the most common vector borne disease in the United States — meaning it’s spread by an insect or other organism. In this case, it’s transmitted to humans by black-legged ticks — also known as deer ticks — that are infected with a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.
If untreated, infection can spread to the joints, heart and the nervous system and has the potential to cause permanent damage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nearly 29,000 cases in the U.S. in 2008, but it’s considered rare in Georgia, with only 35 confirmed cases that same year.
In the Southeast, while you have some of these ticks which transmit Lyme disease, they are rarely infected with B burgdorferi, and by and large, they’re not that fond of biting humans,” said Dr. Paul Mead with the CDC’s Vector Borne Disease Division.
“… by and large, they’re [ticks] not that fond of biting humans“, said Dr. Paul Mead with the CDC’s Vector Borne Disease Division. WOW! When the CDC makes comments like this to the public, it becomes hard to take anythng they say seriously.
For the full article: http://www.cbsatlanta.com/health/23622162/detail.html
Lyme Handbook 