Howard health officials are warning residents of Lyme disease, as the number of cases has increased 50 percent in Maryland in one year.

Cases of Lyme disease, a bacterial disease usually transmitted by a deer tick, in Maryland have increased to 2,576 in 2007 from 1,248 in 2006, according to officials.

In Howard, cases jumped to 358 in 2007 from 113 in 2006.

The increase is in part due to more residential developments built near woodlands, said Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard’s health officer.

This story continues below
Advertisement

The disease also is being recognized more by patients and health professionals, contributing to the rise in cases, he said.

Within a week of being infected, a person may develop a bull’s-eye-shaped rash along with a fever, headache and muscle or joint pain.

The bacteria may also spread through the body and cause inflammation of the heart or lungs, health officials said.