1. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Lyme Disease Prevention and Awareness
14 AUG 2012
Our mission is to provide Soldiers, Civilians and their Families with a quality
of life commensurate with the quality of their service.
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2. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Outline
• Background
• Symptoms/ Early Detection
• Prevention
• Treatment
• Statistics
• Information Campaign
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3. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Background
• Lyme Disease is an infection caused by bacteria
that is commonly transmitted by deer ticks and
mice (not all ticks carry the disease).
• The tick must be imbedded in the body for
several hours to transmit the disease.
• Lyme disease can affect animals, humans and
can be transmitted to fetus if mother is infected.
• If left untreated, can cause serious long-term
issues.
• Currently no vaccination available for humans;
however, Lyme Disease can be treated by
Female Deer Ticks
antibiotics.
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4. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Symptoms/ Early Detection
Early localized stage (3-30 days post-tick bite)
• Red, expanding rash called erythema migrans (EM) or “Bulls-Eye”
• Fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and
swollen lymph nodes
Early disseminated stage (days to weeks post-tick bite) Erythema Migrans Rash
• Untreated, the infection may spread from the site of the bite to other parts of the body, producing an
array of specific symptoms that may come and go, including:
• Additional EM lesions in other areas of the body
• Facial or Bell's palsy (loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face)
• Severe headaches and neck stiffness due to meningitis
• Pain and swelling in the large joints (such as knees)
• Shooting pains that may interfere with sleep
• Heart palpitations and dizziness due to changes in heartbeat
Late disseminated stage (months-to-years post-tick bite)
Untreated infection symptoms may include:
• Intermittent bouts of arthritis, with severe joint pain and swelling
• Chronic neurological complaints months to years after infection
(shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and problems
with short-term memory) Individual with Bell’s Palsy
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5. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Prevention
• Wearing light colored clothing so that ticks can be easily identified.
• Tucking in pants to boots, shirts into gloves.
• Application of insect repellent (containing 20% DEET) and applied per manufactures recommendation
to deter ticks and use of permethrin for Soldiers and DA civilians.
• Frequent self checks for individuals partaking in outdoor activities and working in tick-invested
environments. Special attention should be given to moist dark areas were ticks typically migrate too.
• Clothing should be placed in dryer for 20-30 minutes to kill unseen ticks.
• Frequent checks of children and animals.
• Proper removal of tick to prevent infected fluid from entering body with washing and treating area with
antiseptic. (Medical professional removal of tick is recommended)
• Testing of tick to determine if a carrier of Lyme Disease.
• Routine treatment and grooming of household animals with flea and tick prevention medication.
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6. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Treatment
• Early Localized Stage:
– Oral doxycyline,10-21 days in duration
– Children do require different regimen
• Early Disseminated Stage:
– Oral antibiotic therapy up to 28 days
– Intravenous therapy if meningitis/heart changes
• Late Disseminated Stage:
– Intravenous therapy up to 28 days
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7. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Statistics
• DoD Human Tick Test Kit Program
– 10 of 68 ticks positive for Lyme disease, 20Mar-13Aug2012
– 7/10 from on-post tick bites
• Electronic medical record review
– 10 cases treated at USAMEDDAC since 01Apr2012
– 7 cases treated in out-lying clinics
• Previous case reports from USAMEDDAC*
– 2011: 6 cases
– 2010: 8 cases
* Likely underreported
• Jefferson County
– 2007: 8 cases
– 2009: 49 cases
– 2011: 119 cases
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8. FORT DRUM, NEW YORK
Information Campaign
Completed: Way Ahead:
1. 1. Community Forum Briefings by MEDDAC:
 Fort Drum Outdoor Sportsman Newsletter • Family Support Huddle- 22 August
Articles- March 2012 • CLIF- 5 September
• Fort Drum Town Hall Meeting- 12 September
 Safety Day
2. Facebook Postings
 CLIF Notes- June 2012
3. Dissemination of Information Sheet and/or GTA at Medical Clinics,
 Mountaineer Articles- April, June, July 2012 Vet Clinic, Child Care Centers, Organizational Days
4. Mountaineer Article- wk of 20 August
5. Fort Drum Outdoor Sportsman Newsletter Article- September 2012
6. Safety Message to Workforce
7. Commander’s Safety Message “stuffer” in Commissary Bags
8. Lyme Disease Awareness and Prevention Table at monthly CSM
Info Table at Exchange
9. Production and Installation of Outdoor Information Signage for Tick
& Lyme Disease Awareness- e.g. Remington Park, Dog Park,
Playgrounds.
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9. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Questions/Guidance
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