DEAR DR. GOTT: I am hearing very frightening stories these days about the tick epidemic anticipated in the Northeast. It seems that everyone I speak with has either Lyme disease or something called ehrlichiosis. What on earth is going on and why does there appear to be an almost epidemic?
DEAR READER: I happen to live in the Northeast and can attest to the fact that there is a prolific amount of tick-borne illness in my area. It’s easy to speculate that the mild winter we experienced might have contributed to the problem, yet some experts indicate this doesn’t cause a rise in tick populations but does, however, change tick behavior. Adult deer ticks which are minute in size generally remain dormant during the winter but can seek carrier hosts whenever temperatures rise to several degrees above freezing. These ticks can then transmit Lyme but the bigger issue is with the spring/summer nymphs.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi with the most common disease-transmitting organism being the black-legged tick, a.k.a. the deer tick. But, deer tick feeding isn’t limited to deer. These ticks also feed on the blood of squirrels, mice and other small animals. Through this cycle, the tick can transmit the disease to humans through a “simple” bite.
Now, the eye opener. Researchers from the Yale School of Public Health have determined that 70 species of North American birds do, indeed, serve as hosts for the tick. This brings to mind the thought of one of my favorite pastimes which is to bird watch from my kitchen window in the morning with a good cup of black coffee in hand. Because the feeders were on my deck and the birds did leave their droppings after entertaining me, coupled with the abundant squirrel and chipmunk populations all around me that want to be fed as well, I reluctantly relocated my feeders a distance away. Now I can’t clearly see the red-winged blackbirds, the hummingbirds or purple finches but the step for me was a no brainer since birds, squirrels and small animals can all contribute to the transmission of Lyme and ehrlichiosis. Prevention is the only guarantee against complications and we must all make an effort to reduce the likelihood of infection.
Ehrlichiosis, as I discussed a week or two ago, is another tick-borne bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of a tick. This disease can also be transmitted by the Lone Star tick and wood ticks. Symptoms include muscle aches and pains, fever, vomiting, cough, and more. A rash will appear in fewer than half of all cases which can make it difficult to diagnose without laboratory testing, as the symptoms strongly resemble a case of the flu.
Symptoms such as a tell-tale rash or bulls eye ring for Lyme or a possible rash for ehrlichiosis, are often sufficient evidence for a physician to treat a patient. Most doctors will also request laboratory testing to verify their findings and some facilities also offer a direct microscopic test where lab technicians can visualize intracellular bacteria in a blood smear. Lastly, whether Lyme or ehrlichiosis, antibiotics are used for treatment. Doxycycline and tetracycline can be used to treat both. Amoxicillin can be given for Lyme and rifampin for ehrlichiosis.
I am the first to admit that my feeders and suet holders will be back up in the fall but in the interim, I believe that playing it safe is the best means of combating this frightening dilemma.
