The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that Lyme Disease is the leading cause of vector-borne communicable diseases in the United States with about 15,000 cases reported annually, but is thought to be underreported. Texas is not a high-risk state but the Bureau of Epidemiology receives calls about the disease and investigates possible cases. In 1998-1999, 16 cases were investigated, of which three were confirmed/reported. The illness is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi which is a spirochetal bacterium that was named for a town in Connecticut where it was first described in 1976. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick or flea. The incubation period is three to 32 days. In Texas, the tick most likely to carry the disease is the Lone Star tick and the adult tick is about the size of a watermelon seed.

There are three stages to the illness which may overlap or occur independently. The first presents with flu like symptoms. In addition to the "flu-like" symptoms about 35 percent of the infected people develop a characteristic skin rash which is red around the bite. It may expand to a diameter of 14 inches with a lighter area in the center. Secondary skin rashes can also occur and reoccur. These may vary in appearance from one time to the next. The second involves the nervous system and/or the heart. People may experience sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, double vision and numbness or weakness in extremities or face. Others may have rapid or irregular heart beat. The third stage involves the joints and nervous system. About 60 percent will develop arthritis and about 10 percent of the cases will have chronic arthritis. Other patients may develop neurological symptoms such as chronic fatigue, psychiatric problems or multiple sclerosis-like symptoms.

To help protect yourself and your family: 1) keep your pets free of fleas and ticks; 2) wear light colored clothing so ticks can be seen; 3) tuck pant legs into boots or socks when out in high grass or wooded areas; 4) use approved insect repellant and 5) inspect yourself frequently. If you think you have Lyme disease, see your doctor immediately. Treatment is more successful when started early.

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