Student may have Lyme disease
Published June 14th, 2008 in the Telegraph-Journal, New Brunswick
SAINT JOHN - The area may have its first case of Lyme disease this
summer.
Dr. Scott Giffin, the district medical health officer, confirmed Friday that
a Millidgeville elementary school student may have the disease - but it won't be
known for sure until blood tests are done.
"The tests haven't occurred yet, but it certainly sounds like a clinical case
of Lyme disease," said Giffin.
There was also one confirmed case in Saint John last August, he said, also
involving an elementary school-aged child in Millidgeville.
In 2006, there was a case in Quispamsis, said Giffin.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that is commonly transmitted by
black-legged ticks or deer ticks, which get it through white-tailed deer or
white-footed mice and pass it on to people, he said.
Since the first case of Lyme disease was diagnosed in New Brunswick in 1987,
there has been an average of one case reported in the province each year, he
said. Although most of the cases reported have been in southwestern New
Brunswick, two-thirds of those stricken had travelled to places where they had
most likely picked up the disease, he said.
Of local ticks submitted to Public Health, about 12 per cent are positive for
carrying the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease.
"That tells me that Lyme disease is possible to get here. There may be cases
that we don't know about or that aren't reported or mild cases that don't get to
see a physician," said Giffin.
"It tells me that we need to be vigilant because with climate change it may
well cause changes in the ecology of this disease that could make it more
prevalent here."
Giffin recommends that people going into the woods wear light-coloured,
long-sleeved tops and pants so dark ticks will show up better.
Pant legs should be tucked into socks, he said. Bug repellent also helps, he
said, along with cutting back brush around the home.
He also said people should check for ticks after walking in the woods. Ticks
like warm dark places, such as armpits, he said, and children should be checked
thoroughly.
Lyme disease has a very low death rate, said Giffin.
"It can certainly cause serious and long-term disease," he said.
He added that people should not be afraid to go in the woods, providing they
take precautions.
"I would hate to see people take this as a reason not to let their kids go
outside or hiking," he said. "Nature and physical activity are very important.
We don't need kid sitting in front of computers or the TV any more than they do
already."
In North America, the deer tick has been identified as the key to the
disease's spread on the east coast. The first signs of the disease may include
fever, headache, fatigue and a rash.
Anyone suspecting they have Lyme disease should contact their doctor
immediately or go to a walk-in medical clinic or a hospital emergency room.
Next Wednesday, at 7 p.m., a concerned citizens session on Lyme disease will
be held at the Millidgeville Community Centre.
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