County: Take precautions to prevent Lyme disease

They could be anywhere. Only the size of a pinhead, their bite is cruel and lasting. It is the tick that causes Lyme disease and, according to an Ocean County Health Department spokeswoman, statistics show that more than 100 county residents will be infected this season.

"Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick," said Dr. Ella Boyd, community health services coordinator. "The infected female ticks spread the disease to animals and humans through tick bites. The adult ticks themselves are very small; about the size of a sesame seed."

"We had 180 confirmed cases of Lyme disease within Ocean County for 2005 and it may go higher as some cases are still waiting official confirmation," Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said. "While the 2005 cases are lower than the 227 confirmed cases for 2004, it is still a disease for which we must take appropriate measures to avoid."

Boyd said the deer ticks are mostly found in underbrush and high grassy areas of forests and woodlands and in the moist, leafy litter of shaded forest floors. She said people can make their yard "unfriendly to ticks" by keeping grass mowed, clearing leaf litter and tall grass around the house, edges of gardens and open stone walls. She suggested that firewood be stored on a raised base off the ground.

"The best way to avoid coming into contact with a Lyme-disease carrying tick is to avoid tick habitat," Boyd said. "If that is not possible, when walking through habitat areas wear long-sleeved light-colored shirts and long pants, with pant legs tucked into your socks. If you have long hair, keep it tied back. Spray yourself sparingly with a tick-repellent product containing DEET or spray your clothing with a product containing permethrin.

"Once indoors, shower thoroughly and check your skin and your children's skin carefully for signs of ticks. Ticks will attach themselves anywhere on the body but prefer body creases," Boyd said.

Boyd said the first symptom of Lyme disease is usually an expanding rash, either solid red or a central spot surrounded by clear skin that is in turn ringed by an expanding red rash ("bullseye"). Other early signs of Lyme disease include joint pains, chills, fever and fatigue.

"If you have any of these symptoms you should see your physician as soon as possible," Boyd said.

"Early treatment of Lyme disease is straightforward and almost always results in a full recovery," Little added