The Associated Press reports that after three years of snagging ticks and checking them for disease, a map has been developed showing the areas of the United States subject to Lyme disease. The map is part of a study published in the February American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
The areas at significant risk for Lyme disease include virtually all of Wisconsin as well as a strip of Illinois bordering Wisconsin and much of eastern Minnesota. There is some risk for the eastern border area of North Dakota that abuts Minnesota. In the eastern United States, the section of Virginia that consists of the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, the northern neck area, the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC form the southernmost area of significant risk. Washington DC itself is a high risk area as are the Maryland suburbs and all states north and east, particularly Delaware, the eastern half of Pennsylvania, all of New Jersey, parts of New York state, virtually all of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as the southern half of Vermont and New Hampshire as well as particular areas in Maine.
It is hoped that the map will lead to more accurate diagnosis of the disease in the high risk areas as well as consideration for other diagnoses in the low risk locations.
Lyme disease is named after a town in Connecticut. The only significant early symptom is a red rash. Other indications are vague, usually similar to the onset of the flu. The disease is easily cured by antibiotics, but only if administered in the early stage of the illness. Untreated victims may develop arthritis, meningitis and other serious illnesses.
http://news.yahoo.com/map-pinpoints-lyme-disease-risk-areas-165547027.html
Enlarged map of areas of high human risk for Lyme disease:
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/u-s--1316130479-slideshow/map-released-yale-school-public-health-friday-feb-photo-164843064.html
The areas at significant risk for Lyme disease include virtually all of Wisconsin as well as a strip of Illinois bordering Wisconsin and much of eastern Minnesota. There is some risk for the eastern border area of North Dakota that abuts Minnesota. In the eastern United States, the section of Virginia that consists of the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, the northern neck area, the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC form the southernmost area of significant risk. Washington DC itself is a high risk area as are the Maryland suburbs and all states north and east, particularly Delaware, the eastern half of Pennsylvania, all of New Jersey, parts of New York state, virtually all of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as the southern half of Vermont and New Hampshire as well as particular areas in Maine.
It is hoped that the map will lead to more accurate diagnosis of the disease in the high risk areas as well as consideration for other diagnoses in the low risk locations.
Lyme disease is named after a town in Connecticut. The only significant early symptom is a red rash. Other indications are vague, usually similar to the onset of the flu. The disease is easily cured by antibiotics, but only if administered in the early stage of the illness. Untreated victims may develop arthritis, meningitis and other serious illnesses.
http://news.yahoo.com/map-pinpoints-lyme-disease-risk-areas-165547027.html
Enlarged map of areas of high human risk for Lyme disease:
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/u-s--1316130479-slideshow/map-released-yale-school-public-health-friday-feb-photo-164843064.html
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