Spring brings warmer weather, beautiful flowers, time outdoors . . . and ticks. Ticks also bring the risk of Lyme disease. Lyme disease cases have increased significantly, especially in New England, during recent years; Fairfield County, Conn., reported 699 human cases in 2009 compared to 470 cases in 2007. This increase has prompted the Department of Public Health to participate in a new study that will help determine if tick-borne diseases can be prevented with a single, targeted pesticide application to yards.
The study, in partnership with Yale Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will be conducted in Connecticut, Maryland, and New York. Local health departments are looking for volunteers to test the pesticide.
Although pesticides are already important in preventing Lyme disease, the results of the study could provide more information about the products and allow for more targeted use. This study shows the progress being made to use pesticides as an effective method to combat diseases, such as Lyme disease.
To read more information about the study, visit http://orange.patch.com/articles/with-lyme-disease-on-the-rise-new-cdc-study-under-way-3.
