Whoa! Lyme Disease is a perennial problem for equestrians, farm staffers, outdoor sports participants and others that spend plenty of time enjoying nature. Annually, tens of thousands of Americans develop Lyme Disease symptoms after bites by infected ticks.
In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers helpful information about Lyme Disease’s causes, symptoms, risks and prevention.
What is Lyme Disease?
This infectious disease, spread by tiny black-legged deer ticks, is commonly found in humans, dogs, mice, squirrels and other creatures. Scientifically tagged borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme Disease can make infected individuals quite ill.
Horse owners and other outdoorsmen grow more concerned about Lyme Disease when warmer weather returns to their regions, as ticks become more prevalent.
What are the primary symptoms of Lyme Disease?
What are the signs of Lyme Disease infection? The first evidence, of course, is a tick bite. The actual tick may still be attached.
Additional Lyme Disease symptoms include:
- Circular target-shaped rash that grows after it appears
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
What sorts of people face the highest risk of infection?
Basically, anyone who works or plays outdoors may encounter deer ticks, especially in regions where these arachnid populations are most plentiful. Woodsy areas with tall grasses and thick brush attract ticks.
Several occupations place workers in tick-friendly environments. Here are a few of the most high-risk jobs for Lyme Disease:
- Brush clearing
- Construction
- Farming
- Forestry
- Horse care
- Land surveying
- Landscaping
- Oil field work
- Park service
- Railroad maintenance
- Utility line repairing
- Wildlife management
- and more.
Historically, the highest concentrations of Lyme Disease infections have occurred in the northern states, with the most cases being found in the northern Midwest and New England. In fact, a team of scientific researchers published a study in February 2012, revealing these findings: Upper Midwest & Eastern states named high-risk Lyme Disease areas.
What can equestrians and others do to prevent Lyme Disease?
Avoiding deer ticks is the key to preventing infection. Several practical steps can help:
- Choose light-colored clothing, as dark colors make ticks harder to spot.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors.
- Step into socks and boots, and tuck pant legs into them.
- Put on a hat, especially in wooded areas, where ticks may fall from trees overhead.
- Use bug repellants for outdoor activity or work.
- Do a full-body tick check daily. Deer ticks are almost microscopic.
- Use a loofah, bath puff or washcloth in the shower to scrub skin thoroughly.
- Launder clothing promptly, and tumble dry on a high heat setting.
- Seek prompt medical attention for any curious insect bite.
Owners may choose to vaccinate dogs and horses against it. Since 2002, no Lyme Disease vaccination has been available for humans.
The CDC provides free downloadable fact sheets, which include:
Related Items:
- 10 Ways to Minimize Your Horse's Risk of EHV-1 or Equine Herpes Virus
- Free Informational Resources on Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak
- NCSU vets isolate mare with EHV-1 neuro
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