Lyme disease is an issue in NE Iowa

Decorah Lions Club President Steve Tjossem with Winneshiek County Public Health Nurse Karla O'Connell

With many people heading outdoors to enjoy camping, fishing and hiking, Winneshiek County Public Health Nurse Karla O'Connell says it's a good time to remind the public about the risk of Lyme Disease.

O'Connell met recently with members of the Decorah Lions Club to give her message.

Lyme Disease is a tick-borne bacterium transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected deer tick.  An infected tick has to be attached for 24 to 48 hours in order to pass the bacterium into a human.  A bull's-eye shaped skin rash may appear within 7 to 10 days.  When recognized,the disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics.  Symptoms of the disease are fever, headache and fatigue, which is similar to many other illnesses, making Lyme Disease often difficult to diagnose.

Last year there were four cases reported in Winneshiek County and 190 cases reported in all of Iowa.

O'Connell told Decorah LIons Club members that people can prevent Lyme Disease through the use of insect repellant containing DEET, through wearing permethrin-treated clothing, through treating pets for ticks and through checking for ticks after outdoor activities.

To remove a tick, use a fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure.  After removing the tick, clean the bite area and hands with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub or soap and water.