¶ … Jefferson Township, a part of Morris Country, NJ has experienced a surging problem with a higher number of Lyme disease reported cases each year. Approximately 30,000 cases have been reported by the CDC. These growing number of cases has created worry as afflicted patients are looking to doctors and nurses to help with this potentially chronic and debilitating illness. With Lyme disease quickly becoming the most common vector-borne illness within the northern hemisphere, especially in towns like Jefferson, public health concerns have led to a desire to take steps to prevent and diagnose the disease. Lyme disease is transmitted to humans via a bite from an infected blacklegged tick. The infection is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which then infects the human. Symptoms range from fatigue, a characteristic rash named erythema migrans, fever, and headache (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2015). Early diagnosis of Lyme disease can lead to prompt treatment and recovery. Patients treated with suitable antibiotics during the early typically recover speedily and fully. However, a later diagnosis can mean a potential development of chronic Lyme disease. Although a controversial diagnosis, patients afflicted have reported continued symptoms that last for years.

Improved awareness, additional research, better-quality diagnostics along with advances in therapeutics are immediately vital to thwarting a growing concern and potential epidemic like Lyme disease. "There is an important role for the nurse in raising awareness, giving advice on prevention and correct tick removal, and in recognizing signs of Lyme disease to assist access to prompt medical attention" (Pearson, 2014, p. 37). If awareness can be increased through research and knowing the early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease,...

Children who are infected may not know their symptoms mean Lyme disease and seniors may be unaware due to other health problems. It is important to check the skin for any rashes and recognize any symptoms. Early detection will greatly benefit the community because it will allow faster and full recoveries.
Prevention efforts are also important because of the nature of transmission. Wearing long pants and putting on bug repellant may keep the ticks from biting and prevent infection. If the problem is not resolved and preventative and awareness efforts are not met, the cases will continue to grow as well as the chronic Lyme disease diagnoses. Politics have already led the action of creating the chronic Lyme disease diagnosis. However, community values and priorities need to center on creating awareness and increase prevention efforts to help keep families safe. The community can expect public service announcements, possible town meetings, and a newsletter discussing ways to prevent Lyme disease infection and what to look out for in regards to signs and symptoms.

The main goal is to raise awareness of Lyme disease and increase prevention efforts to minimize the amount of Lyme disease infections each year. The three objective goals are as follows:

1. Primary- Increase awareness of the early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. Secondary- Run diagnostics and administer blood tests for earl detection. Tertiary- Follow up meeting to assess progress.

2. Primary- Promote prevention methods to thwart potential Lyme…