Lyme Disease: Who Let the Ticks Out?

Speakers:
Dennis White, PhD, Director, Arthropod-borne Disease Program, NYS Department of Health; Director, Tick-borne Disease Institute
Raymond Dattwyler, MD, Professor of Medicine; Division Head, Division of Allergy/Clinical Immunology; Director of the Lyme Disease Center, SUNY Stonybrook

Program Description:
Lyme disease has become a major public health issue for New Yorkers, with over 40,000 cases reported since 1986. Caused by the bite of an infected deer tick, Lyme disease can cause serious health complications, including nerve, heart and joint problems. The same tick may also transmit other diseases in New York State, such as babesiosis and ehrlichiosis. Since 1997, Lyme disease incidence rates have increased by as much as 1000% in the Capital District and contiguous counties. Infected ticks and mammals have been identified statewide. This program will focus on the geographic spread of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. It will provide an overview of Lyme disease diagnosis, prevention and control, including current information on the Lyme disease vaccine and antibiotic prophylaxis.

Satellite broadcast originally aired May 16, 2002.