WIDESPREAD PRESENCE OF TICKBORNE DISEASES CONFIRMED

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 WIDESPREAD PRESENCE OF TICKBORNE DISEASES CONFIRMED

Six-out-of-10 Tom Nevers households report Lyme disease infections

Nantucket, MA, June 9, 2009 - In the first broad-based study of tick-borne diseases on Nantucket, 61.3% of  the more than 220 property owners in the island’s Tom Nevers area who responded to a survey report that one or more people in their households have been infected with Lyme disease.Including family members, visiting guests and renters, an average of 2.3 people per household have been infected with Lyme disease or with one of the even more serious tick-borne diseases. Of those infected with Lyme disease, nearly 40% were diagnosed and treated off-island, with initial mis-diagnosis and ongoing health problems fairly common.

The study, just released by the Tom Nevers Civic Association, also measured the incidence of the two other major tick-borne diseasees,Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosi, and includes verbatim comments from those infected with any of these three diseases. Several report severe, debilitating, life-long health issues.

 In addition, the study also quantifies how the threat of contracting a tick-borne disease is having a serious negative impact on both the quality-of-life and future economic health of the Island. For example—

·        88% say they now worry more about outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, picnics, etc.—with a number cutting back or eliminating these activities.

·        59% say they now worry that if left unchecked, the problem will make Nantucket less attractive to their visiting family members, guests and/or renters—with a number reporting that they are already seeing both family members and renters expressing health concerns about coming to Nantucket.

·        51% say they now worry that the tick-borne disease problem, if left unchecked, will affect Nantucket property values—with many pleading that Town Government address the tick problem decisively and effectively before it’s too late.

 The complete 18-page study report can be found on the Tom Nevers Civic Association Web site: www.tomnevers.or.

For more on this story check back at www.acknews.com and read The Nantucket Independent issue of June 17, 2009