Lyme Disease Support Group
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. It is now one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the U.S. Lyme disease is caused by infection with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, and is primarily transmitted to humans as well as dogs, horses and other domesticated animals by the bite of infected ticks.
The following article was posted 11/8/07 in "The Day", a paper in eastern Connecticut. I found this one the latest news section of Lyme Disease in our community of DS. The article is interesting and the postings that it is getting to the newspaper are interesting. Cheppie
Handling Lyme Disease
Handling Lyme Disease
Published on 11/8/2007 in Home Editorial Editorial
Lyme disease, the bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of infected deer ticks, was first identified in the state three decades ago, yet there is still much to learn about it. So it was good to hear this week that Connecticut has launched a new Lyme disease surveillance and education program.
The state's Department of Public Health is partnering with Connecticut's largest private provider of medical testing, Quest Diagnostics, to better document positive Lyme disease test results. The state will work with Quest until a state-run electronic laboratory system is implemented, said Gov. M. Jodi Rell in announcing the program.
The state health department is currently processing positive Lyme lab results from Quest, and preparing to send letters of request to physicians for further clinical information on approximately 5,500 patients.
The objective is to bring about an efficient, accurate method of recording Lyme disease cases where the infections are happening and in what volume so the state can make informed long-term policy and planning decisions.
We want to truly understand the risk of the disease and its economic impact, said Gov. Rell.
The new initiative also includes an educational component. Intensive community-based Lyme disease education and protection programs will be established for Fairfield and Windham counties, including media outreach, handbooks and brochures, and face-to-face education seminars.
That's a start, but a better approach would be statewide education and prevention programs. Granted, Windham has the highest per-capita attack rate of Lyme disease in the state, and Fairfield County, with its large population, has the highest total number of cases, but people all over Connecticut, including many here in the southeast region, have been afflicted.
The move toward electronic tracking of Lyme disease cases is good. Surveillance has already shown that Connecticut has the highest number of cases per capita of any state. And that is why improved education and prevention for all of the state's citizens would be worth the time and money. So why not expand the Windham and Fairfield county initiatives so everyone benefits?
Handling Lyme Disease
Handling Lyme Disease
Published on 11/8/2007 in Home Editorial Editorial
Lyme disease, the bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of infected deer ticks, was first identified in the state three decades ago, yet there is still much to learn about it. So it was good to hear this week that Connecticut has launched a new Lyme disease surveillance and education program.
The state's Department of Public Health is partnering with Connecticut's largest private provider of medical testing, Quest Diagnostics, to better document positive Lyme disease test results. The state will work with Quest until a state-run electronic laboratory system is implemented, said Gov. M. Jodi Rell in announcing the program.
The state health department is currently processing positive Lyme lab results from Quest, and preparing to send letters of request to physicians for further clinical information on approximately 5,500 patients.
The objective is to bring about an efficient, accurate method of recording Lyme disease cases where the infections are happening and in what volume so the state can make informed long-term policy and planning decisions.
We want to truly understand the risk of the disease and its economic impact, said Gov. Rell.
The new initiative also includes an educational component. Intensive community-based Lyme disease education and protection programs will be established for Fairfield and Windham counties, including media outreach, handbooks and brochures, and face-to-face education seminars.
That's a start, but a better approach would be statewide education and prevention programs. Granted, Windham has the highest per-capita attack rate of Lyme disease in the state, and Fairfield County, with its large population, has the highest total number of cases, but people all over Connecticut, including many here in the southeast region, have been afflicted.
The move toward electronic tracking of Lyme disease cases is good. Surveillance has already shown that Connecticut has the highest number of cases per capita of any state. And that is why improved education and prevention for all of the state's citizens would be worth the time and money. So why not expand the Windham and Fairfield county initiatives so everyone benefits?
Do you have Lyme disease?
Cheppie
Interesting article. Quest diagnosis labs here in Illinois did my testing to confirm I had Lyme disease. The test cam back positive the first time so I thik they are a good lab to do the testing. Again, thanks for the informative information. Education and prevention is vitally important with this disease.