Lyme disease:
Lyme disease is transmitted to people when infected deer
ticks bite them. The bacterium that causes Lyme disease is called Borrelia burgdorferi, and causes
flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue, as well as a skin rash.
Often a bulls-eye rash is noticed somewhere on an infected person’s body. Doctors
will diagnose the disease and prescribe antibiotics. If left untreated there
could be more serious symptoms from Lyme disease, affecting the nervous system,
heart, or joints.
Prevention:
·
Wear EPA approved repellent
·
Perform daily tick checks
·
Use caution in tick infested areas
·
Wear protective clothing
Lyme disease
awareness month:
The month of May is Lyme disease awareness month in Maine. Throughout
May, Maine CDC hosts informational tables, presentations, provides information
on ticks and diseases for newsletters, and records a tick-borne disease
webinar.
Events:
See our Lyme Disease Awareness
Month page for a list of activities:
Kids in school:
Maine CDC launched a curriculum for children in the 3rd-5th
grades to educate them on ticks and mosquitoes. This curriculum highlights
these vectors and the diseases they carry and how to avoid them and prevent
disease. http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/school-curriculum/index.shtml
Tick-Free
ME:
As a
part of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Maine Center for Disease Control and
Prevention is launching our second annual Tick-Free ME Challenge. This is a
month long challenge during t July, where participants monitor their preventive
behaviors. The goal of the challenge is to prevent tick-borne diseases through
the prevention of tick bites. Enrollment in the challenge began May 1st and
continues through June 22ndat participating libraries around the state. The
challenge is designed for adults aged 45 years and older as this age group has
among the highest rates of Lyme disease in Maine. For a list of libraries and
more information visit: www.maine.gov/dhhs/tickfreeme
