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No Warranties or Representations
The data and information presented in this web site are presented in good faith and believed to be accurate regarding Lyme disease (commonly misspelled lymes disease lyme's disease lime disease limes disease) and other related diseases. Any and all liability for the content or any omissions including any inaccuracies, errors, or misstatements in such data or information is expressly disclaimed. The web site is compiled for the sole purpose of informing community members of resources and information pertaining to Lyme Borreliosis Disease and its coinfections. Lyme disease symptoms may vary from person to person.
The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, Directors and members are not liable for any direct or indirect damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortious action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of information available from this website.
Consult a qualified Lyme ( Borreliosis ) Disease literate doctor for medical advice if Lyme Disease is suspect.
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High School Tick Search Reveals Disease Risk
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=101263
By John Hilliard / Daily News Staff
Monday, June 13, 2005
WESTON -- A study of Lyme disease by two sophomores at Weston High
School could help locals stay healthy this summer.
"We were discovering something new," said Sabrina Liu, 16.
The two teens -- Liu and partner Suzanne Reny, also 16 -- spent
three days scouring areas around town, including Newton Street, Highland
Street, College Pond, Cat Rock and Coburn Street, searching for ticks,
hoping to learn how many carried the bacteria which can cause Lyme disease.
They hoped the project would not only serve science, but be a
service to the community.
"It definitely raised people's awareness," said Liu. "Most people
didn't know it was happening in Weston."
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 23,000 cases
of Lyme Disease occurred in the U.S. in 2002. However, experts believe the
disease is greatly underreported.
Disease-carrying ticks are common in the Northeast and upper
Midwest regions of the U.S., and the peak season for spreading the bacteria
for Lyme disease is late spring through the summer.
While the disease is rarely fatal, if left untreated, it can
cause cognitive disorders, sleep problems, fatigue and personality changes.
In Weston, the teens caught about 50 deer ticks, which, unlike
dog ticks, can carry Lyme disease. Since deer ticks are barely larger than
the period at the end of this sentence, the high schoolers used a large bolt
of fabric that was brushed along the ground to snare the ticks.
Adding a bit of high-tech to a school science project, Liu used
her father's lab to test whether the ticks carried the disease.
Dr. Leo Liu's company, Woburn-based Cambria Biosciences,
specializes in testing drug compounds, but his background is in infectious
diseases. He said he hopes this science project can raise people's awareness
of the dangers of Lyme Disease.
"The general public should just be aware that it's not a new
disease -- it's established here," he said.
Dr. Liu contacted a friend who specializes in tick biology to
learn a relatively simple test that determines whether a tick carries Lyme
disease-causing bacteria.
"Pretty much everything could be done in a high school biology
lab," said Liu.
Of 36 ticks tested, 29 percent were carrying the Lyme
disease-causing bacteria borrelia burgdorferi.
In recent years, both Liu's neighbor and a friend living in
Weston contracted Lyme disease, so Liu knew residents needed to be aware of
the illness. He said while deer remain legally protected, it may encourage
the spread of deer ticks and the disease.
"It's something that's significant enough that it should be part
of the town government debate," said Liu. "It's a medical issue, not just a
property issue."
Local health officials are not taking the threat of Lyme disease
lightly this summer. Wayland Health Director Steve Calichman said it is one
of those diseases people should be worried about.
"Lyme disease is one of those diseases that seem to be
increasing," he said.
Last week, the Wayland Board of Health distributed a Lyme disease
fact sheet to every public school student that was prepared by the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Calichman indicated that other ticks can spread disease. Both
Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia are spread by dog ticks, and
babesiosis is another disease spread by deer ticks, according to the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Sudbury Health Director Bob Leupold recommended parents check
their kids for ticks every day. Deer ticks have been found in Sudbury, and
pets can be prone to infection.
"You just have to be aware," said Leupold.
If Sudbury residents need to confirm whether they have been
bitten by a deer tick, Leupold said the Sudbury Health Department can
determine the species of tick. In critical cases, a tick can be sent for
identification to an entomologist at the East Middlesex Mosquito Control
Project.
Fittingly, both of the Weston teens are looking at careers in
science or medicine.
Sabrina Liu said she is keeping her options open, but has an
interest in the subject. Suzanne Reny said she enjoys bringing science to
the real world.
"I really like applying biology to real life," she said. "I've
been interested in becoming a doctor."
John Hilliard can be reached at 508-626-4436 or jhilliar@cnc.com.
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