posted
apologize for the delay in following up but I have been doing a great deal of research and putting a lot of thought into this situation as well.
I spoke with Dr. Dunn at the State Department of Health on 3-27-08. As such, I wish to thank you for the prompt attention you created to the situation.
In our discussions, I was pleased to find that there is an Entomological study currently underway. It is my understanding that they have been collecting ticks over the past six months.
that grants have been applied for and the testing method is PCR. The estimated results of the studies will be this summer.
As pleased as I am in this, I am also discouraged for several reasons.
the results will be Published to the Wildlife Services
the results will not be made to the Public Health Departments
they are not testing for STARI at all
It appears that the studies are an attempt to track the migratory effects noted in this article below:
Lyme disease in Tennessee
By Evan Hill
published: April 12 2007 11:54 AM updated:: April 12 2007 07:24 PM
The Center for Wildlife Health welcomes Jean Tsao and Sarah Hamer to discuss the emerging problem Lyme disease can present for wildlife.
A seminar will be held Friday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Room 166 of the Agricultural Engineering Building on the University of
Tennessee campus in which Tsao and Hamer will relate how wildlife species have contributed to the spread of Lyme disease.
The increase in Lyme disease is attributed to invasion of the black-legged tick into parts of southern Michigan. The ticks are carried there
by wild birds and mammals and have begun to make the area a permanent home.
Recently, black-legged ticks also have been found on deer in Tennessee, but the population has not yet reached the level that exists in Michigan.
The black-legged ticks is the animal most likely to transfer the disease to humans.
At Friday's seminar, Tsao and Hamer will examine how wildlife surveillance can provide early warnings that will aid in disease control and discuss possible solutions to the problem, such as vaccines.
Editor: Sarah Nutt
While I commend this effort, the last line is clearly a marker of real concern: ``provide early warnings that will aid in disease control and discuss possible solutions to the problem,
such as vaccines.'' If the information is not taken directly to the Public Health Departments, how will this effort ``provide early warnings that will aid in disease control''?
It is my understanding through discussion with Dr. Dunn that Lyme Disease is a Human Illness Surveillance process. Simply stated, an individual has to be diagnosed with Lyme Disease
and then it is reported to the Health Department. In turn, it is reported to the CDC and the numbers are tallied and reported
nationally. Unlike other diseases, such as West Nile, this is a Public Health Surveillance process. The difference being that mosquitoes are collected and tested, in the same manner
that the current tick study is under way, but positive results are immediately passed on the Public Health Departments in areas in order to ``provide early warnings that will aid in disease control''.
Because of Public Health Surveillance processes with diseases such as West Nile, there is awareness both publicly and within the medical profession. Therefore, the medical profession
considers West Nile during routine visits with patients. Awareness being the key factor. In the testing underway today, I directly asked Dr. Dunn several times and in several different ways - if the results begin showing high levels
of infection rate in a particular county or area would this information be passed immediately to the Public Health Department in those areas so
they may, in turn, pass the information to the medical community and local media to protect the public. He continued to repeat the same answer; it will be posted, at the end of the study, in a
peer-reviewed publication. In other words, NO - because Lyme Disease is NOT a Public Health Surveillance process.
Another major point of interest is that fact that STARI is not in a reportable category with the Public Health Department at all. Dr. Dunn
stated, as I already believed myself, that STARI is a strain of Borrelia. Yes, there are considered to be over 100 strains of this
bacterium worldwide. So my questions are why is STARI not reportable? Additionally, why is it not included in the current studies?
What a twisted circle we seem to have here! I actually reminds of T-CAP testing in our education setting. If we ``lower the bar'', we
look much better! If STARI is not reportable then don't we look much better in Tennessee since it seems to be the more dominant strain in our region?
Additionally, how is the medical professionals suppose to consider Lyme or other strains of Borrelia in a clinical setting if the
information they continue to receive is that of minimal to no risk factors based on the current, and obviously flawed, reporting practices. It is like the cart before the horse. If we have
to have Human Illness break out reported for the risk factors to be known but the medical community swears that the risk factors are slim to none then they are not even looking for it.
We have to remember that most often Lyme Disease and the various strains of the bacteria, present in very confusing ways, even to the patient. On top of this fact, you have only 15-20 minutes in
with a medical doctor for a diagnosis. And yes, as all humans do, they tend to go with the most obvious diagnosis. With the lack of reality present for the possibility of this bacteria
being a culprit, it is not a diagnostic consideration.
I was rather appalled at the reality that even if a major spike is noted in a particular area that it would not be reported to the Public
Health Department in that area. We are in the top of the tick season right now. Which means that many individuals could be in contact,
potential infection could be occurring right now, today, and they have no idea of the real concerns or effects this could have on them or their children for many years to come. Why in
the world would the State Public Health Department withhold information upon receipt of it? Just because it is classified a certain way?
How can this Surveillance process be changed? How can the current study include STARI in the testing? How can STARI be added as a reportable
infection? For these seem to be the key factors missing in this situation.
In closing, I am continuing to educate others and myself in this area. I will keep up with the studies and hope to receive the results upon
publication as well. I do urge you to consider the above and take steps to demand public awareness if the results show the need for if
the risk is not announced there will not be consideration in clinical settings.
I will continue to update you as new information is found. I look forward to hearing from you in
return with any suggestions on making these changes. Again, I am here to help and bring about change to protect our community and public in this great state of Tennessee.
Respectfully,
(also copied him today on the announcement of Blumenthal investigation and statements of foudings made!!!)
PROGRESS GUYS HUGE PROGRESS!!!!!!!
-------------------- Seeking renewed health & vitality. --------------------------------- Do not take anything I say as medical advice - I am NOT a dr! Posts: 830 | From TN | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
Way to go! Keep hammering away! The times, they are a-changin'! But not on their own. It happens through tenacious efforts like yours!
Posts: 422 | From Herndon, Virginia | Registered: Oct 2005
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