The Use of Harvested White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Geographic Information System (GIS) Methods to Characterize Distribution and Locate Spatial Clusters of Borrelia burgdorferi and Its Vector Ixodes scapularis in Indiana. Keefe LM, Moro MH, Vinasco J, Hill C, Wu CC, Raizman EA Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2009 Mar 9.
Ixodes scapularis (Say) is the vector for Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) the causative agent of Lyme disease (LD). The increased number and presence of ticks in the environment pose a significant health risk to people and many domestic animals including dogs, cats, and horses. This study characterized the distribution and expansion of I. scapularis and Bb and identified areas of increased risk of LD transmission in Indiana using geographical information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis.
A cross-sectional sampling was performed for 3 consecutive years (2005-2007). A total of 3,412 harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were searched for ticks at Department of Natural Resources manned deer check-in stations. Hunters were asked for verbal permission to search the deer and to indicate on a road atlas where the deer was killed. All deer points were digitized into a GIS database. Identification of clustering in space and time for these organisms was performed using geostatistical software. Multiple spatial clusters of I. scapularis-infested deer were identified in western Indiana. B. burgdorferi was isolated from tick pools in 11 counties.
In addition to the I. scapularis clusters, one spatial cluster of Bb-infected ticks was identified. Our current survey results and cluster analysis indicate that the western geographic regions of Indiana should be considered by the healthcare community to be at increased risk of LD compared with the rest of Indiana.
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Melanie,
Thanks for posting this. I live in Indiana.
Is there a map or some additional info that I can reference to id what the western portion of Indiana means and which counties were at highest risk?
Ugh,
2roads
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Hi 2roads,
I'm pleased that you found this helpful.
A few ideas... I would suggest contacting your local Health dept. They should be able to assist you in finding info on county counts on TBDs. But remember, this will only be CDC surveillance info.
Another suggestion would to be to ask the state epidemiologist and/or a local university epidemiology dept. They usually have a better idea of local bugs and diseases carried by them.
Also, local support groups may have info for you.
There is also a state map somewhere...maybe try the LDA site. I also know there is a map for dogs with the same info somewhere. Perhaps someone will come along with that link?
The last thing would be to contact local vets. Our animals are sentinel creatures for actual infection prevalence in our states.
Good luck! M
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
My local GP has been telling me he is seeing Lyme more and more around here, in patients that come in after being bitten by a tick.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
It was near Bloomington that I got bitten again six years ago. My Lyme had been under control prior to that bite (with three previous serious flare ups lasting several months each dating back to 1982). I never had babesia symptoms till that bite.
I know I met someone on here a couple years ago whose friend was bitten at McCormick Creek State Park (four miles from where I used to live) and got a bullseye rash.
Lyme is definitely in the Midwest. I know several people, including myself, who got it in Ohio (my earlier bites were in Ohio).
Posted by jt345 (Member # 19638) on :
Hi
One thing to keep in mind. Deer are not the only,animal or even the closest animal that spreads the diease. One of the most infected animal are mice. And mice are very common in homes . About 10 years ago Gunderson clinic,caught American Robins,and Can.Gesse. The average bird in both had 3.75 deer ticks attached to them.75% of the ticks cared the rotten little bugs that make us sick.
So it's good to keep the grass cut closly to the ground around bird feeders,and be on the look out for rodents around the house,and garage. be as well as you can be jt345 (appleseed)
Posted by psano2 (Member # 11711) on :
I think it's great that Indiana is doing this study. All states should do the same with deer, and maybe other animals that are caught by hunters.
Posted by jt345 (Member # 19638) on :
Hi Psanos
That would be a great idea. I have been hunter all my life. But since having lyme I have been more aware off ticks. I look for them on every animal,and I have ticks on grose rabits,and sguirrals.(spelling?) oh well jt345(appleseed)
Posted by kplyme (Member # 15317) on :
I've had probably 20 tick bites in the last five years from my yard in Bloomington that backs up to the woods with a heavy deer population. The doctors around here are clueless so I was glad to see that someone is loooking into the problem.
Thanks for posting, Melanie.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Thank YOU each for the continued feedback! Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Melanie, you're bumin' me out.
Do you really think all those ticks were infected in your back yard?
How many Bloomington people are on this website I wonder....
I moved out here to get away from it, and now I'm beginning to panic.
I have an appt with my OBGYN this morning to talk about antibiotics during pregnancy....ugh.
2roads
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I don't think you can get away from it. Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
I am so sorry that this information is distressing you 2roads.
I have always been of the mind set that education is key... and personally, I would rather be aware of the situation than not. That way, I feel like I at least have some informative choice in the actions that I take to deal with the situation.
The reality is that NO place is safe from these diseases... did that shatter my reality too, of course. Do I wish that wasn't the case, of course.
But it is what it is. I'm really sorry, but for everyone involved, I feel it is better to know.
I wish you well with the pregnancy... and hope you will build a supportive and wise team to see you and the precious little one through it.
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