June 16, 2010 With tick-borne diseases on a steady rise, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released a report urging city residents to be especially conscientious of tick bites this summer.
Since 2001, accounts of tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis have nearly tripled. Just last year alone, Lyme disease cases have increased from 538 to 643, according to the report.
In addition to addressing the public, the Health Department has also issued a medical advisory directing physicians to watch for tick-borne illness among their patients and to report cases back to the department.
However, urbanites can take solace in knowing that they most likely won't tack on a tick during their daily trip to the deli.
"Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are a serious summertime problem for city residents who spend time in wooded areas outside the five boroughs," said Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City Health commissioner..
The study has found that most New Yorkers acquire tick-borne infections outside of their urban dwellings, in more rural areas like the Hudson Valley, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. (The lone exception is the Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is known to be transmitted in NYC.)
Source: silive.com by Vincent Barone
