Lyme Disease in Peoria County - Illinois

georgia · medicine forum Guru Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 505

http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=11976

Lyme Disease in Peoria County

By Kim Carollo
[ kcarollo@whoitv.com ]

Posted: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 7:42 PM

A new report shows the number of cases of Lyme Disease in Peoria County
doubled last year.

Four people were diagnosed with the disease in 2005.

Lyme Disease is caused by the bite of a deer tick, which are usually
found
in areas with tall grass and weeds.

The first sign is a round rash, and flu-like symptoms might appear.

If it's not treated, it can affect the heart and nervous system.

Experts say one reason for the increase in Lyme Disease around here
last
year is a lack of awareness.

"People are not aware about the cause of Lyme Disease, and they have a
sense
that we do not have that in this area," said Lisa Dallmeyer of the
Peoria
County Department of Health.

Here's what we know about preventing Lyme Disease:

a.. Wear light-colored, protective clothing and make sure ticks can't
get
in under it.

b.. Use insect repellent with DEET.

c.. Check yourself, family members and pets every two to three hours
for
ticks when you're in high grass and weeds.

d.. Walk in the center of trails so weeks don't brush against you.

e.. Remove any tick immediately by grasping it with tweezers and
gently,
but firmly, pull it straight out.

f.. Wash the bite area and hands thoroughly with soap and water and
apply
an antiseptic.

g.. Get rid of weeds and keep grass mowed.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
Web site.
[ http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/index.htm ]

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