Lyme disease, as an inflammatory disease, is mainly characterized by the onset of a rash, headache, chills and a fever.
It’s also known to cause potential health problems in people, making them develop conditions like arthritis, neurological and some cardiac disorders. This inflammatory disease is ultimately caused by the harmful spirochetal bacteria that are often transmitted by ticks.
Ticks, in fact, are the most common transmitters of Lyme disease, as various animals are known to unknowingly transport the infected ticks from place to place. Deer are known potential carriers of Lyme disease, as the deer tick typically inhabits the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Many places around the world, including the United States, have dealt with cases of Lyme disease. The condition mostly threatens people during warmer seasons, where insects and animals harboring the bacteria are most active.
In Virginia, to provide an example, Lyme disease is a common concern that hits the northern part of the state during the summer months. The ‘migration path’ of ticks and other infected insects have now started moving to ‘naturally warmer states,’ where they pose the highest health risk of infecting people.
Northern Virginia and Lyme disease
According to references from the state of Virginia’s Department of Health, the state has ‘seen a steady increase in the annually occurring number of new Lyme disease cases and many other tick-related infections since the year 2000.’ The increase is said to be attributed to ‘several factors’ at this time.
Since the year 2007, Northern Virginia had seen perhaps the largest increase of Lyme disease cases in the state’s history. In the following years, notably 2009 and 2010, the increase rose to 37 percent. So, that increase pretty much indicates that ticks that carry the disease have been more active in Virginia, due to the fact that they were moving southward and westward.
Now that there are more cases of Lyme disease and other tick-related conditions, the state of Virginia and the surrounding area now take precautions each year to protect the region from contracting the condition.
Steps Northern Virginia takes to protect against Lyme disease
Each year, Northern Virginia prepares to combat the impending arrival of various ticks and animals who might harbor the bacteria causing Lyme disease.
Many places in Northern Virginia spray down parks with insect repellant or special ‘tick-repelling’ spray to keep ticks from ‘invading’ the park. These insect repelling solutions are usually sprayed where ticks might come in contact with humans, including walking, biking and running trails nearby the woods.
Other places near wood and brush are also sprayed down; naturally, residents are advised to stay away from sprayed areas until they’re completely dry. Pet owners are also advised to have their pets checked for ticks, too. And, naturally, people are advised by the state to wear long sleeves and pants when hiking in the woods.
