Dramatic Rise in Lyme Disease Cases in Alabama Prompts State Health Officer to Deliver Warning to Medical Professionals in 7 Alabama Counties Endemic for the Disease
(PRWEB) October 08, 2015 -- The number of those affected by the potentially devastating effects of Tick-Borne illnesses continues to rise, with seven Alabama Counties (Calhoun, Chambers, Jefferson, Mobile, Shelby, Russell and Tuscaloosa) now declared to be Endemic for Lyme disease by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).
This declaration, and a dramatic increase in reported Lyme disease cases over the past four years, highlights a greater need among Alabama Medical Professionals and the General Public to be aware of the risk of contracting Lyme disease and other potential tick-borne illnesses. ADPH recently sent a letter to all physicians in the seven endemic counties to notify them of the potential risk to their patients and possible signs of infections.
Alabama State Representative and Study Commission Chair, Becky Nordgren (House District 29) says, “The letter from Don Williamson is critical to the advancement of the State’s effort to ensure awareness within the medical community of the growing problem with tick-borne illnesses in Alabama.”
Alabama Lyme Disease Association (ALDA) President and Founder, Kevin Wolfe says, “We applaud the collaborative effort underway with the ADPH, The Alabama Study Commission on Tick-borne Illnesses, Lawmakers and other groups (including ALDA) to investigate ways to proactively protect Alabama citizens through awareness, education and research.”
Kevin Wolfe, Alabama Lyme Disease Association, http://AlabamaLymeDisease.org, +1 (334) 868-9138, [email protected]
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