Lyme Disease: Number of Cases Rising

Many states are experiencing rising numbers of people getting sick with Lyme Disease. The state of Virginia is one of them, as reported in the Roanoke Times.

According to Sarah Bruyn Jones, Montgomery county cases alone have jumped 500% since 2007, although the number wasn’t huge then- only 4 in 2007 to 24 in 2008.

Lyme Disease is considered endemic in parts of the country, which are normally the more rural, sparsely populated areas that harbor the deer tick.

That may account for why the more metropolitan area of Roanoke proper isn’t seeing the increase. According to David Gaines, entomologist for the Virginia Department of Health, “It may be that the Roanoke and Salem areas are so heavily developed that there isn’t a lot of room for change.”

I suggest that Mr. Gaines tell that to the people of Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Montgomery counties and beyond. The more rural areas abound with trees and fields. We know that deer like to eat tender grass and the young vegetables this time of year. The danger lurks there for sure and people need to be careful!

That being said, the more populated areas do translate into fewer wooded areas for the culprit of Lyme Disease to proliferate: the black-legged or deer tick, as illustrated in the picture. (Notice the 2 stages of development and how the male and female deer tick differ. Your health could depend on knowing this information and being able to recognize this tick.)

TIP: Be sure that if you’re out in any wooded or less densely populated areas this summer that you check yourself and your children for these creatures. Once bitten, it’s important to get help. If you’ve had the illness for awhile and you’re having trouble regaining your health, you’re welcomed to check out the healing method that I often recommend and use frequently to help Lyme Disease victims. It’s very possible to get better from Lyme Disease without drug intervention.

Thank you so much,
Cinda Crawford

Tagged as: deer tick, Lyme Disease