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Post by Coolkat on Apr 4, 2017 7:58:37 GMT -8
I realize that as backpackers most of us are aware of this problem but there might be some newbies that would benefit from this knowledge. If you're going to be hiking in the midwest or northeast be prepared. BY THE time he had finished his walk through the woods in New York state, Rick Ostfeld was ready to declare a public health emergency. He could read the warning signs in the acorns that littered the forest floor – seeds of a chain of events that will culminate in an unprecedented outbreak of Lyme disease this year.
Since that day in 2015, Ostfeld has been publicising the coming outbreak. Thanks to a changing climate it could be one of the worst on record: the ticks that carry the disease have been found in places where it has never before been a problem – and where most people don’t know how to respond. The danger zone isn’t confined to the US: similar signs are flagging potential outbreaks in Europe. Polish researchers predict a major outbreak there in 2018.
In theory, Ostfeld’s early warning system gives public health officials a two-year window to prepare. In many other cases, this would be enough time to roll out a vaccination programme. But there is no human vaccine for Lyme disease. Why not? And what can you do to protect yourself in the meantime? Lyme Disease set to Explode |
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Post by hikerjer on Apr 4, 2017 8:06:22 GMT -8
That stuff scares me to death. Fortunately, I live and primarily hike in a region where it's relatively rare, but not unheard of. I'll take my chances with grizz over those ticks anytime.
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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Apr 4, 2017 8:22:43 GMT -8
Ugh...another reason to leave the Midwest! My furry dog is a tick magnet, but this is a great reminder not to skimp on flea & tick treatment. I've been pretty lucky and not had ticks on myself (I'm also not allergic to poison ivy, so I'm a bit of an anomaly that way...)
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 4, 2017 8:58:38 GMT -8
I freaking hate ticks. One good reason to do most of my hiking in the alpine  |
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Post by rustyshackleford on Apr 4, 2017 9:05:31 GMT -8
Found ticks on my 10 days ago when I had to scramble over fallen trees on the trail. I hate mild winters! My daughter is 4-1/2 now and much more active outdoors compared to last bug season. I'm hesitant to use deet or permethrin with her but also hesitant to trust the natural stuff as there is so much holistic nonsense out there. Without spending hours upon hours turning this into a research project, what do you all use and why?
Thanks!
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 4, 2017 9:23:03 GMT -8
About 12 years ago I took my second trip to Isle Royale with a friend and his teen son. His wife, who could not be paid ten million dollars to "rough it" at the Holiday Inn, somehow ended up with Lyme disease after he returned home (they live in Chicago). Best guess is that tick traveled with him. Luckily they caught it early. She was cool about it, calling it "lemon lime disease."
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Post by Lamebeaver on Apr 4, 2017 9:28:34 GMT -8
Great time to slash the NIH research budget.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Apr 4, 2017 9:35:40 GMT -8
Though Lyme Disease can be quite serious, I am not sure it merits the widespread fear it seems to inspire. Part of it may be that people just don't like ticks, which is understandable. They don't really bother me that much, they're just parasites doing what parasites do. If you live in an area where Lyme Disease frequently occurs, know the symptoms. Deer ticks are typically so small you'll never know they were there, so don't count on seeing them. I've had Lyme Disease twice, a couple weeks of tetracycline took care of it both times.
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Post by Coolkat on Apr 4, 2017 9:46:54 GMT -8
I've had Lyme Disease twice, a couple weeks of tetracycline took care of it both times. Count yourself as blessed then. Must have caught it fairly early. I know 2 people who still have it and it wreaks havoc with their daily lives. Well for a few months and then in bed for a month. One of them spent thousands of dollars trying to find a solution that would at least help him feel somewhat normal again. |
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Post by hikingtiger on Apr 4, 2017 10:12:43 GMT -8
Without spending hours upon hours turning this into a research project, what do you all use and why? I spray Permithrin on the clothes/tent/etc., and deet on the skin. |
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Apr 4, 2017 10:38:23 GMT -8
I've had Lyme Disease twice, a couple weeks of tetracycline took care of it both times. Very pleased to hear it. My nephew has not been as lucky. Every few years he seems to have a resurgence of symptoms. |
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Apr 4, 2017 11:00:31 GMT -8
Must have caught it fairly early. I know 2 people who still have it and it wreaks havoc with their daily lives. Well for a few months and then in bed for a month. One of them spent thousands of dollars trying to find a solution that would at least help him feel somewhat normal again. My nephew has not been as lucky. Every few years he seems to have a resurgence of symptoms. Well, that's terrible. Yes, I did catch it early, both times. Early detection is key, but not always easy. |
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Post by Coolkat on Apr 4, 2017 11:44:11 GMT -8
Early detection is key, but not always easy. Can I ask what your symptoms were? Flu-like, like everyone says? |
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 4, 2017 12:46:22 GMT -8
My friend caught it early when she noticed the "bulls eye" bruising on her arm. That's often the first symptom.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Apr 4, 2017 12:51:44 GMT -8
It's been over 30 years, but my recollection is that the first time I had some very mild flu like symptoms (especially headaches), but nothing too bad. The second time (just one year later) I had joint pain instead. I'm pretty sure I had circular red rashes both times. In neither case did I ever see a tick. At the time I was doing bird and vegetation field studies in the forests near Lyme, CT, for which the disease is named, so I was quite vigilant to any possible symptoms.
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