Lyme Disease is on the rise.
From 2000 to 2011, the number of confirmed annual Lyme Disease cases in Vermont rose from 40 to more than 500. A decade ago, most could be traced to tick bites received out-of-state, but today the majority of cases are contracted in Vermont. That’s raising questions about why the incidence of the disease is increasing, and concerns about early diagnosis and treatment.
We talk with Lyndon State College professor of biology Alan Geise about his research into the rise in tick populations in Vermont, and with Dr. Christopher Grace, Director of Infectious Disease at Fletcher Allen Health Care and professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine about how the disease is detected, how it affects people and what treatments are available.
Send your questions about Lyme Disease diagnosis and treatment to vermontedition@vpr.net.
Also, in part two of our four part Generation Gap series we look at how Vermont’s younger generation fares in a limited job market where incomes don’t always keep pace with the cost of living.
And we dive into our mailbag to read your comments about recent programs.