Lyme disease season starts again

Officials from the departments of Health and Community Services and Natural Resources would like to remind the public of the potential for Lyme Disease transmission in this province to both humans and domestic animals. With warmer weather starting, the season for this disease is approaching.

According to provincial veterinarian, Dr. Hugh Whitney, the ticks responsible for spreading this disease are being found at increased levels throughout the island portion of the province on dogs, cats and in some cases people. "We believe that migratory birds bring the tick into the province every spring. As approximately 11 per cent of these ticks have been seen to carry the disease we know that people and pets have the risk of contracting Lyme Disease if bitten. In late summer of 2004 we saw our first case of Lyme Disease in a local dog that had earlier been bitten by a tick."

Lyme Disease is caused by a bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) which is spread through a bite from infected ticks. The tick most commonly associated with infections of Lyme Disease is the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). A tick is a small, wingless bug, similar to a spider or mite, and feeds on the blood of mammals and birds. It can attach to any exposed part of the body after walking through grass or brush where ticks may be found.

Dr. Faith Stratton, chief medical officer of health, said there have been no human cases of Lyme Disease acquired in this province. However, the potential does exist for individuals to contract Lyme disease as individuals in other provinces have been diagnosed as having contracted the infection.

While it may appear to be a mild disease initially, Dr. Stratton said human cases of Lyme Disease can result in serious medical complications in humans if not treated. "Symptoms usually occur one to two weeks after being bitten by an infected tick and begin with an enlarging red area of the skin at the site of the bite. Other early symptoms include fever, headache, neck stiffness, malaise and general muscle and joint aches and pain. If not treated, the disease can spread to affect other areas of the body such as the nerves and heart. Treatment with antibiotics will cure the infection."

Dr. Whitney indicated that there are as of yet no known permanent populations of these ticks in the province but with time this could happen. Dogs are the most commonly affected domestic animals with symptoms including fever, loss of appetite and unexplained lameness.

People can reduce their exposure to tick bites by wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and legs covered) and by applying insect repellant containing DEET when travelling in areas where ticks may be present.

Officials are advising the general public that if they should discover a tick either on their body or on their pets, that they should remove it carefully with a pair of tweezers, being cautious not to leave pieces behind which would likely cause infection.

Dr. Whitney added that persons who believe they have found a tick on themselves or their animal are encouraged to place the tick in a small container with moist cotton and send it to health officials so that proper testing and identification can occur. This practice will also allow officials to determine the breadth of the tick population in this province and learn if any of the ticks are carrying Lyme Disease. Ticks can be submitted to local public health or health inspection offices, local conservation officers, through their veterinarian or by contacting the provincial veterinarian's office at (709) 729-6879.

In addition, the provincial government is working with Memorial University, the Newfoundland and Labrador Veterinary Medical Association and the private company IDEXX Inc. to further evaluate the prevalence of this and other vector-borne diseases in the dog population. Dog owners interested in participating in this survey are encouraged to contact their local small animal veterinary clinic.

For further information on ticks and Lyme Disease please consult the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/agric under "Animal Diseases", or contact:

Dr. Hugh Whitney
Provincial Veterinarian
Department of Natural Resources
(709) 729-6879

Dr. Faith Stratton
Chief Medical Officer of Health
Department of Health and Community Services
(709) 729-3430

Media contact:
Carmel Turpin, Natural Resources, 709-729-5282
Carolyn Chaplin, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

2005 06 30                             12:25 p.m.