Agriculture & Landscape Program
Tick-Borne Disease Diagnostics

About Lyme Disease

This discussion is from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/lyme/lymehp.htm#what)

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. In the northeast, the bacteria are transmitted to humans by the bite of infected deer ticks, Ixodes scapularis. The infection can cause serious long-term joint, heart and nervous system problems, if not recognized and treated early.

Massachusetts is among the states with the highest incidence rates for Lyme disease. The highest incidence of Lyme disease in Massachusetts occurs on Cape Cod, southeastern Massachusetts, the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, in areas north of Boston, and along the Quabbin Reservoir watershed and the Connecticut River Valley in western Massachusetts.

The number of Lyme disease cases has been increasing over the past twelve years in Massachusetts. Between 1990 and 2003, a total of 9,114 confirmed cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)

How can I prevent Lyme disease?

Currently, no vaccine is available to protect humans against Lyme disease. Since the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are transmitted through tick bites, the most important things you can do are to avoid ticks and check yourself for ticks once a day if there is any possible exposure to ticks.  Carefully remove any attached tick as soon as possible. The longer an infected tick remains attached to your body, the higher the likelihood of disease transmission. Favorite places ticks like to go on your body include areas between the toes, back of the knees, groin, armpits, neck, along the hairline, and behind the ears. Use fine point tweezers to grip the mouthparts of the tick as close to the skin as possible. The tick should not be squeezed or twisted, but pulled straight outward with steady, gentle pressure.

Some people use repellents that contain DEET and permethrin to reduce the risk of tick bites. DEET is effective in repelling ticks when used according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. MDPH recommends that DEET not be used on infants; that repellents containing more than 10 to 15% DEET not be used on children; and that those containing more than 30 to 35% DEET not be used on anyone. Permethrin-containing products kill ticks but are not designed to be applied to the skin. Clothing should be treated and allowed to dry in a well-ventilated area prior to wearing. Because permethrin binds very tightly to fabrics, once the fabric is dry, very little of the permethrin gets onto the skin.

You can reduce the number of ticks around your home by keeping your grass cut short and clearing brush. For more tips on preventing tick bites and reducing the number of ticks around your home, request our brochure Preventing Disease Spread By Ticks by calling the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800.