CDC: Lyme Disease Cases More Than Triple Since 1992
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness (or disease transmitted to humans by ticks, mosquitoes, or fleas) in the United States, with nearly 30,000 confirmed cases reported in 2009.
Excerpted from OHSon;ine ( Posted: 05/23/2011 )
Photo courtesy of L. Berardi
In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds Americans to learn about this common tickborne disease and take steps to protect themselves if they live in or visit areas with Lyme disease activity.
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness (or disease transmitted to humans by ticks, mosquitoes, or fleas) in the United States, with nearly 30,000 confirmed cases reported in 2009. Between 1992 and 2009, the reported annual number of Lyme disease cases more than tripled, with children most at risk for the disease. Children are more at risk because they spend more time playing outdoors and in high grass or leaves, where the ticks that spread Lyme disease are found.
Lyme disease is transmitted to people through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. These ticks are most active during May through July, so it’s especially important that people living in affected regions take steps now to prevent Lyme disease when they go outside. About 95 percent of reported cases in 2009 were from just 12 states. In descending order of reported cases, they are: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maine, and Virginia.
For the complete article: http://ohsonline.com/articles/2011/05/23/cdc-lyme-disease-cases-more-than-triple-since-1992.aspx
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