Lyme disease in South Carolina
doh...@utech.net
Lyme disease in South Carolina
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as of 27 December 1997
Table of Contents
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Federal government on Lyme disease in South Carolina
State of South Carolina on Lyme disease
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC
South Carolina counties on Lyme disease
U.S. Army Lyme Disease Risk Assessments in South Carolina
Other information on Lyme disease in South Carolina
Media articles about Lyme disease in South Carolina
Medical and Scientific Abstracts on Lyme disease in South Carolina
Lyme disease patient support groups in South Carolina
Lyme disease patients from South Carolina
Other Lyme disease resources
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Federal government on Lyme disease in South Carolina:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Tables (Morbidity) for South Carolina:
As of week 51 of 1997, 3 case reports of Lyme disease in South Carolina
have been accepted by the CDC for 1997. There were 9 cases for South
Carolina for the same time period in 1996.
Go to http://www2.cdc.gov:81/mmwr/mmwrmorb.htm and accomplish the
following:
Change the Morbidity Tables field to "Table II (part 2)".
Leave the MMWR Year: field as is ("1997").
Leave the MMWR Week: field as is ("01").
Change the Locations: field to "South Carolina".
Click on the SUBMIT button.
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From the CDC MMWR, June 13, 1997/Vol.46/No.23:
TABLE 1. Number of reported cases of Lyme disease, by state, 1991–1996
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Total
South Carolina 10 2 9 7 17 9 54
(see ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Publications/mmwr/wk/mm4623.pdf - requires
Adobe Acrobat to view)
Editorial Note: These numbers are most likely "the tip of the iceberg".
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State of South Carolina on Lyme disease:
State of South Carolina web page: (no search function)
http://www.state.sc.us/
Nothing on Lyme disease.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): (no search function)
http://www.dhhs.state.sc.us/
Nothing on Lyme disease.
Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC):
(no search function)
http://www.state.sc.us/dhec/division2.htm
DISEASE CONTROL AND EPIDEMIOLOGY
"DHEC is the only organization in the state with the trained staff and
experience to carry out these disease control tasks. It conducts
surveillance on communicable diseases, environmental/occupational risks
and certain injuries. These conditions include common problems like
bacterial dysentery, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases, as
well as environmental risks such as lead poisoning and toxic hepatitis,
or exotic or newly emerging pathogens such as malaria, Hantavirus
infections and Lyme disease. DHEC also publishes the EPI-Notes
newsletter on a bimonthly basis to notify health care providers of
important threats to health identified by this surveillance."
See entire page at
http://www.state.sc.us/dhec/hsdc.htm
Jerry Gibson, MD
State Epidemiologist for South Carolina.
mailto:gibs...@columb60.dhec.state.sc.us
(803) 737-4165.
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BULLETIN
from the
SC Bureau of Laboratories
RESULTS OF FIELD STUDY TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF INFECTIOUS
AGENTS IN RODENTS, TICKS AND MOSQUITOES IN
SOUTH CAROLINA
September, 1997
INTRODUCTION.
The emergence of new and old infectious diseases throughout the United
States poses great challenges for primary health care providers and
public health workers. Prior to 1996, the only available public health
information on emerging infectious diseases in South Carolina came from
retrospective reports of selected diseases in humans and agriculturally
important animals. There was little information on rodents, the natural
hosts and reservoirs for many bacterial, parasitic, and viral diseases
of humans, as well as, for mosquitoes and ticks, the vectors of many
viral and bacterial diseases. In 1996, the South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control's Bureau of Laboratories (DHEC BOL)
conducted a statewide, pilot, infectious disease surveillance project to
assess the risk of emerging infectious diseases to the public's health.
The project entailed collecting and testing natural hosts (rodents) and
arthropod vectors (mosquitoes and ticks) for selected infectious agents
that are transmissible to humans. Specimens were collected from 19 of 46
South Carolina counties during 1996. Despite limited funding, the DHEC
BOL continued it's field surveillance during 1997, collecting specimens
from 18 counties, including 11 counties that were not surveyed in 1996.
Results of this surveillance and their significance follow.
..
..
..
TICK STUDIES.
Four hundred and eighty-eight ticks were collected and studied in 1996
for Lyme disease. Infected ticks were found in Beaufort, Calhoun,
Orangeburg and Charleston Counties. During 1997, 126 additional ticks
have been collected for study.
[Tick Surveillance Map DHEC-BOL 1996 and 1997]
Prior to our surveillance study, no statewide risk assessment for Lyme
disease had been performed in South Carolina. Continued tick collections
and testing is regarded as important, because Lyme disease in humans is
often under-diagnosed, or empirically treated, and certainly under-
reported to DHEC epidemiologists.
http://www.state.sc.us/dhec/labbu027.htm
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South Carolina counties on Lyme disease:
South Carolina county health departments
http://www.state.sc.us/dhec/hsycnlst.htm
Nothing on Lyme disease.
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U.S. Army Lyme Disease Risk Assessments in South Carolina :
Fort Jackson - Aug 1992 (Some risk - found ticks and local cases)
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http://www.utech.net/users/10766/017.txt
Fort Jackson - Apr 1990 (Low risk - found infected ticks)
----------------------------------------
http://www.utech.net/users/10766/076.txt
[Note: At Fort Jackson, from 1987 through 1992, the U.S. Army has found
Lyme disease ticks, Lyme disease bacteria in the ticks, and Lyme disease
cases in the local area.]
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Other information on Lyme disease in South Carolina:
The Division of Public Health and Public Service of the Department of
Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina
South Carolina Agromedicine Program Videotapes
Videotapes Produced by SC Agromedicine Program
LYME DISEASE: The Great Imitator
http://www.musc.edu/oem/agmedvid.htm
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Media articles about Lyme disease in South Carolina:
The Clemson News
Clemson University Department of News Services
DATE: 7-11-97
CONTACT:Eric Benson (Clemson University entomologist), (864) 656-7847
Click here to e-mail above
WRITER: Cynthia Kopkowski, (864) 656-1222
Click here to e-mail above
LYME DISEASE IS A SUMMERTIME PROBLEM IN SOUTH CAROLINA
CLEMSON -- Although they are only slightly larger than the head of a
pin, ticks could bring big health problems for South Carolina residents
during these hot summer months.
Lyme disease, a multi-stage bacterial infection passed on to humans by
the insects' burrowing under the skin, is an annual problem in South
Carolina. The state health department reported nine cases of the disease
to the Department of Health and Environmental Control in 1996. One case
has been reported so far in 1997; but experts say that the number of
reported cases typically increases as the summer progresses.
During the summer months, the warm weather and encroachment of humans on
natural habitats increases the number of human-tick interactions.
Campers, hikers, and gardeners are prime targets for attracting the
small black-legged deer tick and Lyme disease.
Clemson University entomologist Eric Benson said that with a little
knowledge and precaution, the disease is easily preventable.
"People should check themselves, children and pets after participating
in outdoor activities in wooded, bushy or grassy areas," said Benson.
Even before setting out on hiking trails or starting up the lawn mower,
there are several precautionary measures that can be taken to guard
against ticks.
"Wear light colored clothing that will make ticks easily detectable,"
said Benson. "Tuck pant legs into boots or socks and apply an
appropriate insect repellent to clothing and skin. Take a bath after
coming in from wooded areas."
If these steps fail to keep a tick from attaching itself to an unwelcome
host, don't panic.
"Ticks will crawl around a while on your body before biting, and even
then they may not release Lyme disease, if they have it, for hours,"
said Benson.
Pick any unattached ticks off the body immediately. If the insect is
embedded in the skin, grasp it with tweezers or long fingernails at the
point closest to where it entered the skin and pull it out in a slow,
steady motion. Avoid crushing the body of the tick. This could inject
any Lyme disease bacteria that might be present in the tick into the
body to which it is attached.
"Don't practice any of those old wives' tales to remove ticks, like
burning them or painting over them with nail polish," said Benson. "If
you are concerned with removing a tick yourself, see a doctor
immediately."
Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fatigue, fever, chills and
headaches. Infected persons usually experience intense arthritis-like
muscle and joint pain. Lymph nodes may become swollen and the person may
develop a skin rash with a bulls' eye appearance. A doctor can conduct
blood tests to determine whether or not an individual suffering from
these symptoms is infected with Lyme disease. The good news is that the
disease, while often painful, is rarely fatal.
Benson encouraged outdoor adventurers to be cautious, but not afraid of
their favorite summertime activities.
"Avoid high-risk areas if you are unprotected, but don't stop enjoying
the outdoors just because of ticks," he said.
END
http://clemsonews.clemson.edu/WWW_releases/july1997/Lyme_Disease.html
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Medical and Scientific Abstracts regarding Lyme disease in South
Carolina:
The Lyme Disease Network of NJ, Inc. Lyme Disease Network
Medical / Scientific Literature Database Search Form
http://www2.lymenet.org/domino/abstract.nsf/$$Search
or
HealthWorld Medline Search
http://www.healthy.net/library/search/medline.htm
Title:
Ticks, Lyme disease spirochetes, trypanosomes, and antibody to
encephalitis viruses in wild birds from coastal Georgia and South
Carolina.
Authors:
Durden LA, McLean RG, Oliver JH Jr, Ubico SR, James AM
Source:
J Parasitol 1997 Dec;83(6):1178-1182
Organization:
Institute of Anthropodology and Parasitology, Georgia Southern
University, Statesboro 30460, USA.
Abstract:
[Medline record in process]
Ticks and blood samples were collected from wild birds mist-netted on
St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, and at the Wedge Plantation in coastal
South Carolina in 1994 and 1995. Immature stages of 5 species of ixodid
ticks were recovered from 10 of 148 (7%) birds belonging to 6 species in
Georgia, whereas 6 ixodid species were recovered from 45 of 259 (17%)
birds representing 10 avian species in South Carolina. Borrelia
burgdorferi sensu lato was isolated from 27 of 120 (23%) screened ticks
(Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes minor) recovered from South Carolina
birds, but from none of 16 screened ticks removed from Georgia birds.
This spirochete was also isolated from 1 of 97 (1%) birds in South
Carolina. In 1995, neither eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus nor
St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus was isolated from any of 218 bird
sera screened, but serum neutralizing antibodies were found to EEE virus
in 4 of 121 (3%) sera and to SLE virus in 2 of 121 (2%) sera from South
Carolina. No antibody to either virus was detected in 51 avian sera
screened from Georgia. Trypanosomes (probably Trypanosoma avium) were
isolated from 1 of 51 (2%) birds from Georgia and from 13 of 97 (13%)
birds from South Carolina. Our data suggest that some wild birds may be
reservoir hosts for the Lyme disease spirochete and for encephalitis
viruses in coastal Georgia and South Carolina and that migrating birds
can disperse immature ticks infected with B. burgdorferi.
PMID: 9406799, UI: 98068634
Grant support:
U50/CCU406614
AI30026/AI/NIAID
AI24899/AI/NIAID
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Title:
Lyme and other tick-borne diseases acquired in South Carolina in 1988:
a survey of 1,331 physicians.
Authors:
Schuman SH, Caldwell ST
Source:
J S C Med Assoc 1989 Jul;85(7):311-4
Organization:
Abstract:
2,346 primary care physicians were surveyed by mail to estimate the
number of cases of tick-borne fever diagnosed by them during 1988. The
results of the 57% response reveal 344 cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever, 90 cases of Lyme disease and 33 other tick-borne disease cases
acquired in South Carolina. The implications for a greater level of
clinical awareness and a search for endemic vectors and animal hosts are
emphasized.
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Title:
Tick distribution in South Carolina [editorial]
Authors:
DiSalvo AF
Source:
J S C Med Assoc 1989 Oct;85(10):494-5
Organization:
Abstract:
[No Abstract Available]
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Title:
1990 South Carolina Physician Survey of tick, spider and fire ant
morbidity [see comments]
Authors:
Schuman SH, Caldwell ST
Source:
J S C Med Assoc 1991 Aug;87(8):429-32
Organization:
Agromedicine Program, Clemson University.
Abstract:
A population of 2,366 primary care physicians in South Carolina was
surveyed by mail to estimate the number of cases of insect morbidity
treated in 1990. A response rate of 42.3 percent was obtained. Cases
reported totaled 414 for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, 334 for Lyme
disease, 143 black widow and 478 brown recluse spider bites and 4,975
fire ant stings. These are counts of cases from a mail survey, not from
a research-based study. Five deaths were also reported; two for Rocky
Mountain spotted fever, two due to black widow spider bites and one fire
ant anaphylaxis.
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Title:
Lyme disease in South Carolina [see comments]
Authors:
Rumpel C, Jones JL
Source:
J S C Med Assoc 1991 Aug;87(8):420-3
Organization:
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of South
Carolina School of Medicine.
Abstract:
Lyme disease is present in South Carolina, though not as prevalent as in
many other states in the country. The characteristics of South Carolina
cases are similar to those of the nation as a whole. The tick vector of
Lyme disease in the Southeast is not clearly established, but is thought
to be Ixodes scapularis. Questions remain concerning the prevalence of
infection in local ticks with Borrelia burgdorferi, and the risk to a
person bitten by a tick in South Carolina.
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Title:
Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in rodents in the eastern and
southern United States.
Authors:
Magnarelli LA, Oliver JH Jr, Hutcheson HJ, Boone JL, Anderson JF
Source:
J Clin Microbiol 1992 Jun;30(6):1449-52
Organization:
Department of Entomology Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
NewHaven 06504.
Abstract:
Serologic studies were conducted to determine whether white-footed mice
(Peromyscus leucopus) and cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) contained
serum antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme
borreliosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays detected antibodies to
this spirochete in 35.7 and 27.3% of 56 P. leucopus and 535 P.
gossypinus serum samples, respectively, collected in Connecticut, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Antibody titers ranged from 1:160 to greater than or equal to 1:40,960.
On the basis of adsorption tests, the antibodies detected appeared to be
specific to Borrelia spirochetes. Seropositive rodents in the eastern
and southern United States, areas where human cases of Lyme borreliosis
have been reported, indicate a widespread geographic distribution of B.
burgdorferi or a closely related spirochete.
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Lyme disease patient support groups in South Carolina:
The Lyme Disease Network of NJ, Inc. lists of Lyme disease
support groups at
http://www2.lymenet.org/domino/sg.nsf/ (latest updates)
or
http://www.lymenet.org/support.htm (older list - maybe out-of-date)
Don Richardson is the director of the South Carolina Lyme Disease
Network, in Columbia, SC. Their hotline is at 800-477-7040.
Lyme Disease Network of S.C.
Contact: Sue Fox
Columbia, S. C.
803-750-5082
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Lyme disease patients from South Carolina:
DejaNews
http://www.dejanews.com/home_sf.shtml
"Margaret K. Armendariz" - mailto:cin...@scescape.net
Sue - mailto:rainb...@aol.com
Casey Devine - mailto:wde...@clemson.edu
"Gary A. Foley" - mailto:gfo...@org.tec.sc.us
Sue - mailto:susan...@hotmail.com
Tommy Silver - silver...@musc.edu - dog has Lyme disease.
remove NOSPAM to send email
Clare - mailto:LZC...@worldnet.att.net - friends have Lyme disease.
Cheryl Soehl - mailto:cso...@studaff.sa.sc.edu - sister may have
Lyme disease.
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Other Lyme disease resources:
Lyme Disease Information Resource (LDIR)
http://www.sky.net/~dporter/lyme1.html
The Lyme Disease Network
http://www.lymenet.org/
Lyme Disease Foundation (LDF)
http://www.lyme.org/
Lyme Alliance
http://www.lymealliance.org/
Cheryl Orlowski's Lyme disease web page
http://www.bucknell.edu/~orlowski/lymes.html
Lyme Disease Risk Assessments - done by the U.S. Army
http://www.utech.net/users/10766/lyme.htm
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Prepared by
Art Doherty
Lompoc, California
doh...@utech.net
-------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====-----------------------
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David Ross
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[copy E-mailed to doh...@utech.net with complete original message]
--
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http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/6727
(I keep changing it, so visit again.)