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July 30, 2007

More ticks in certain East Bay communities

JAMESTOWN – The East Bay communities of Aquidneck Island, Jamestown and Little Compton have seen a dramatic increase this year in the number of nymphal deer ticks seen there, compared with a decrease in ticks in many parts of the state.

The increases in certain parts of Newport County range from 50 percent to 850 percent above last year’s counts, according to Thomas N. Mather, director of the Center for Vector-Borne Disease at the University of Rhode Island. Mather today joined Congressman Patrick Kennedy at a press conference on the Jamestown waterfront to share the word about the recent tick samplings conducted around the state.

Tick experts are concerned about the increase and want the people who live in the affected communities to educate themselves about how to prevent Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis, all of which deer ticks transmit. Mather said experts also hope physicians in these areas will learn more about the tick-borne illnesses to help in early detection of the diseases.

At the press conference, Anne Lane of Jamestown, held up a sign, “18 of 20 families have had Lyme disease at Jamestown’s North End.” Lane herself is from that neighborhood and said she has been treated for Lyme disease.

URI’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease is seeking state and federal financial support to increase tick awareness programs throughout the state. The center’s Web site provides effective strategies for protecting yourself, your property and your pets from ticks.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson, with reports from Journal staff writer Richard Salit

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 11:43 AM | Permalink

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