What Lancaster County People Should Know About Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus and Zika | Local news

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Although still high, the number of new cases of Lyme disease reported in Lancaster County last year was slightly lower than the total of recent years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Including confirmed and suspected cases, 309 were reported in Lancaster County last year, down from a record 564 recorded in 2017.

Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and, if left untreated, can explode causing chronic and debilitating arthritis, fatigue, impaired motor and senses, dilated heart and even death in rare cases.

What does it work to fight insects before they bite?




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When they are taken quickly and treated with antibiotics, full recovery is the norm.

Pennsylvania, which records more cases each year than any other state since 2011, has also fallen from 11,900 to 10,208.

National numbers are not yet available for 2018; for 2017, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 42,743.

The CDC also notes that studies suggest that the actual number of people with Lyme disease could be 10 times higher than the number of reported cases.

State officials encourage preventative measures, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, using an effective insect repellent and careful tick research after a stay at the hospital. # 39; outside.

15 years after stopping the vaccine against Lyme disease in humans, another is being tested

West Nile

This week also brought news of the first positive results of the West Nile virus in Pennsylvania this year – two mosquitoes in Beaver County and Delaware County.

Last year, the highest number of mosquito-borne cases of the virus was reported among Pennsylvania residents in more than a decade, with at least five deaths attributed to mosquito bites, two of them in the county. of Lancaster.

The virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes that transmit it to birds, animals and humans. Humans can contract West Nile Encephalitis, an infection that can lead to brain inflammation and sometimes death.

Experts promote preventive measures against mosquitoes, including long clothing, repellent and even eliminating small amounts of stagnant water.

Zika

The mosquito-borne Zika virus, which made the headlines in 2016 due to a link with serious birth defects, has not made much noise lately.

The CDC said there was no report on the spread of the virus by mosquitoes in the continental United States over the last 18 months, and that no country was currently reporting a zika epidemic.

However, for those planning to travel outside the continental United States, the agency notes that it does not have accurate information on the current level of risk in some areas where Zika transmission had already been recorded.

He advises to strictly follow the steps to minimize exposure and prevent mosquito bites, and urges couples trying to become pregnant in the next three months to work with their health care providers to properly assess the risks and harms. possible consequences of a trip to areas where Zika is located.

Further information is available at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information.

From the New York Times: The Zika virus is still a threat. Here's what the experts know.

Total confirmed and presumed Lyme disease

Year Lancaster County Pennsylvania
2018 309 10208
2017 564 11900
2016 456 11443
2015 516 9427
2014 153 7487
2013 ten 5904
2012 13 5033
2011 13 5362
2010 9 3805
2009 14 5722
2008 67 3991
2007 253 3994
2006 152 3242
2005 250 4287
2004 140 3985
2003 203 4722
2002 158 3964
2001 177 2727
2000 34 2315
1999 60 2814
1998 69 2752
1997 37 2117
1996 51 2589
1995 29 1630
1994 23 1612
1993 13 1030
1992 17 993
1991 ten 995
1990 11 685

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health

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