Lyme Disease In Indiana's Whitewater Valley Area

 Lyme disease has emerged as a health concern over the past twenty years in several areas of the United States. Lyme disease is named after the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut where it first was diagnosed during the 1970s.

 The disease is caused by a bacteria (not a virus) and is transmitted by the bite of deer ticks . Although deer ticks are not as abundant in Indiana as they are in the New England States and some other areas of the country, they do occur in Indiana and Hoosiers have contracted Lyme Disease from deer ticks.

 According to the Indiana State Department of Health, from 1990 until 2003, Lyme Disease has been confirmed from about 70 counties. In Indiana, the most cases (44) have occurred in the Southwest corner of the state in Vanderburg and Warrick counties.

 The Center for Disease Control lists the Whitewater Valley area of Indiana as a low-risk to no-risk area. The number of cases per county in our area are as follows: Wayne ( 6); Henry (2); Delaware (2); Union (1) Randolf (2); and Fayette (0).

 Still, for those of us that enjoy camping, hiking and working outdoors, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease and to know how to prevent it.

 In other words, better to be safe than sorry.

Deer Ticks and Dog Ticks

It is important to note that not all ticks transmit Lyme Disease.

 Deer ticks are the primary vectors of the Lyme Disease bacterium. Although a small number of deer ticks have been found in some of the counties in the Whitewater Valley, generally, they are not common in our valley. Still, we should remain vigilant (especially when camping in other states, or in other parts of Indiana).

 Adult Deer Ticks are about the size of an appleseed and have black heads and orange abdomens. The nymphs (young, immature ticks) are tiny , being only the size of a pinhead and are all black. Because of its tiny size, it is the nymph that causes most cases of Lyme disease because it is overlooked on our bodies and thus goes un-removed for prolonged periods (see discussion below). A nymph can attach and feed on blood for several days without being noticed and can transmit the Lyme disease bacteria in the process. The nymphal stage is most abundant during June and July, a time when human outdoor activities are at their peak.

 Adult deer ticks can also cause Lyme disease, but they are most active in the late fall and early spring when fewer people are active in hiking and other outdoor activities. Additionally, the adults are larger and easier to detect and remove before they can transmit the disease.

 The most common tick in Indiana, and the one that most Hoosiers encounter on their bodies while hiking or walking is the American Dog Tick. As it name implies, this is the species most commonly associated with dogs. If you are a dog owner, you are probably all too familiar with the yucky process of having to pull ticks off your dog.

 The American dog tick is considerably larger than the deer tick, and is nearly impossible to miss when it is attached to a person or a dog unless it is a hard-to-see and reach spot.

 Often times, the American Dog Tick, attaches at the base of the scalp just above the neck. But it may also attach in the inner thighs, and on the abdomen as well.

 The American Dog Tick unengorged (i.e. not filled with blood) is between 4-5 mm long and is brown with whitish to grayish markings. The female appears like it has a gray shield right behind the head.

 The American Dog Tick and "its cousin", the Brown dog tick, do not transmit Lyme Disease.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

 The initial symptoms of Lyme disease can be mild and easily overlooked. The first symptom is usually a large red spot at the site of the tick bite. This spot can enlarge from the size of a half dollar to several inches or as much as 12 inches across. The spot may occur anywhere on the body, even in inconspicuous places such as the armpit, groin or scalp. Often, flu-like symptoms are experienced, but they may not seem serious enough to seek medical attention.

 Early on, Lyme disease is readily treatable with antibiotics. Treatment at later stages may not be totally effective. Among the more severe symptoms that may occur several years later are severe headaches, facial paralysis, heart problems, chronic fatigue and arthritis.

What to Do If You Are Bitten

• If you are bitten by a tick-any tick--- do not panic. The deer tick usually wanders around on its host for about 4 hours before embedding to feed. Then, the tick requires about 6-8 hours before it can successfully transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease.
  


• When you discover an embedded tick, remove it with tweezers. This is best done by grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible and applying a firm steady pull. Do not yank it out; do not twist it out. A slow, steady pull is best and is very effective.
  


• Do not attempt to force the tick out of the skin by applying mineral oil, a match, or via any other "home remedy" tricks as this may kill the tick while it is still embedded in the skin.
  


• If you are not certain as to whether or not the tick is a deer tick, send the tick to your local health department for identification. If the tick is identified as a deer tick, you should consult with your doctor. For pregnant women, antibiotics may be recommended even in the absence of symptoms.

Lyme Disease Prevention

 Although Lyme Disease is not a major threat in Indiana, it still is important for Hoosiers to be acquainted with this disease and to always take precautions against tick bites.

• When outdoors wear light-colored pants and shirts and socks. This will allow you to readily see any ticks that attach to your legs and ankles.
  


• By wearing long white hiking socks that can be pulled up and over pant cuffs ticks will be channeled to the outside of your body for detection instead of beneath the pant legs.
  


• Consider treating the outside of pant legs, socks and shoes with insect repellent containing "deet". The "extra-strength" formulations of deet are not necessarily more effective than the low strength formulations.
  


• Check for any small nymphal ticks on your body every 2-3 hours.
  


• When camping, it is important to check for ticks prior to going to sleep.
  


• Be alert for the early symptoms and seek medical attention if you suspect you might have contracted Lyme disease.

* The sources used for this article include the Indiana Board of Health; Medical and Veterinary Entomology by G. Mullen and L. Durden, 2002; and The New York Medical College, Vanhalla, NY.