The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50663

Jacquelyn A. Hakim, MS, MPH, Director, Monroe County Vector Control, 38 North 7th Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360, 570-420-3525, jhakim@co.monroe.pa.us, Adenike Bitto, MD, DrPH, MPH, CHES, Health, East Stroudsburg University, P.O. Box 155, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, Michael F. Pula, BS, Monroe County Vector Control, 38 N. 7th St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360, Richard Dryden, PhD, Biology, Professor of Biology, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA 15301, Leonard R. Forte, PA-DEP, 3360 Little Gap Road, Palmerton, PA 18071, and Jeffrey Slabinski, Berwick Area Joint Sewer Authority, 344 Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603.

Objectives. The purpose of this presentation is to share findings and results from an innovative six-year Lyme disease (LD) prevention program in Monroe County, PA. LD is hyperendemic among ticks in Monroe County. In May 1997, an initial survey of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area established baseline data for tick densities and species, lifecycle occurrence, and infection rates. LD infection rates were extremely high, up to 33% of Ixodes species tested. Methods: Monroe County Vector Control (MCVC) has instituted a prevention program that involves putting the public back in public health. Community members bitten by ticks seek medical care and are referred to MCVC by their physicians. In some instances, community members bring samples directly to MCVC for dark-filed microscopy tick identification. Risk analysis is conducted using regression equations for duration of attachment (Falco et al., 1996 and des Vignes et al, 2001). The community receives counseling, health education and, if necessary, prompt medical referral to prevent complications of LD. MCVC also conducts on-site inspections as requested by the community. Results: Data will be presented on the geographic location and vegetative characteristics, occurrence of ticks by life stage and gender, duration of tick attachment to humans, and demographic characteristics of affected persons, and health education techniques utilized by the MCVC. Implications: The low number of LD cases reported, relative to the number of LD positive ticks and tick bites, indicates that MCVC Lyme disease prevention strategies are successful. This model could be replicated in other regions.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the APHA participant will be able to

• Recognize the importance of prompt and correct removal and identification of infected ticks
• Assess the risk of Lyme disease based on local or state epidemiological data
• Advocate for creation of additional entomological units, as may be needed by health departments, for control of vector borne diseases
• Discuss Lyme disease control strategies with the community

Keywords: Education, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.