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1 May 1998 | Volume 128 Issue 9 | Page 784
Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted via a bite from the tick Ixodes scapularis. White-footed mice, which are hosts for the tick, are responsible for transmitting the organism causing Lyme disease [1-3]. Current recommendations to wear long sleeves and tuck one's pants into socks, in the hope of reducing exposure to ticks, are rarely followed [4]. More practical methods are needed.
To test the hypothesis that ticks are most likely to be found in areas supportive of mice, we performed several experiments. Among survival requirements or mice, a key variable is ground cover for protection; open space is dangerous [5]. Pairs of investigators, training in a wilderness survival school, randomly chose and explored different 0-square-yard areas in the woods during nymphal tick season for signs of mice (bedding, hairs, track imprints, chew marks, feeding, area, and scat) [5]. On the basis of coverage, areas were independently classified as presenting putatively high, intermediate, and low suitability or risk. At first glance, the areas appeared similar. High suitability was defined by coverage greater than 3 inches high and bare ground that was not readily visible. Low suitability was defined by coverage less than 1 inch high and bare-ground spots.
After 2 hours of potential exposure, clothing and body checks and counts for Ixodes ticks were performed. The data are summarized in the Table 1 An average of 4.4 ticks per person were found on persons exposed in the high-suitability areas compared with 0.2 ticks per person in low-suitability areas (P < 0.01). This indicates that the risk for exposure is 22 times greater in the high-suitability areas than in the low suitability areas. Evidence of mouse habitation was most notable in the well-covered areas. LETTER
Avoidance of Tick-Borne Diseases
TO THE EDITOR:
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Awareness, recognition, and avoidance of these high-risk areas may markedly reduce the risk for exposure to Lyme and other tick-borne infections [3].
Author and Article Information
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 Top Author & Article Info References |
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References
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TopAuthor & Article InfoReferences |
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1. Bosler EM. Tick vectors and hosts. In: Coyle PK, ed. Lyme Disease. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book: 1993:18-26.
2. Telford SR 3d, Urioste SS, Spielman A. Clustering of host-seeking nymphal deer ticks (Ixodes dammini) infected by Lyme disease spirochetes (Borrelia burgdorferi). Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1992; 47:55-60.
3. Telford SR 3d, Spielman A. Reservoir competence of white-footed mice for Babesia microti. J Med Entomol. 1993; 30:223-7.[Medline]
4. Cartter ML, Farley TA, Ardito HA, Hadler JL. Lyme disease prevention-knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among high school students in an endemic area. Conn Med. 1989; 53:354-6.
5. Brown T. Identifying the track. In: Tom Brown's Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking. New York: Berkley Books; 1983:117-86.
About Letters
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The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
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