Lyme Disease Program Planning

¶ … 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, more people may get the treatment they need to avoid the possibility of developing chronic Lyme disease.

This is especially important because the part of the population in Jefferson most affected are families with school aged children and seniors. 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 disease infections. Secondary- Organized prevention newsletters. Tertiary- Implementation of prevention models to improve high-quality care.

3. Primary- Provide workshops and meetings that teach both awareness and prevention strategies. Secondary- Screening for Lyme disease. Tertiary- Referral to appropriate health clinics.

These strategies aim to actively involve the community. Through education, awareness is raised of the issue. Prevention then becomes an engaging action followed by continuing methods of intervention.

Program Planning

Since Jefferson Township has around three miles of densely wooded land area, housing lakes, sporting facilities, and park, activities such as boating, hiking, and cycling are a favorite among the townspeople. Observations of the areas produced concern. Many of the residents wear shorts, snickers/sandals, and short sleeve shirts. Due to the high grass, occupational exposure, unmaintained lawns, and living with pets, prevention methods must also include property management, and checking body after exposure. Diagnostics are also an important part of raising awareness and increasing recognition and diagnosis of Lyme disease. As one article explains, blood work can be a great way to detect Lyme disease. "Complete blood counts with differential and complete metabolic panel were normal. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and western blot IgG and IgM were ordered. Erythema migrans (EM) is a common finding for Lyme disease" (Davis & Papachrisanthou, 2015, p. 836).

Evaluation

Heathypeople.com reports immunization as an important aspect of disease prevention. "Other important defenses against infectious diseases include:

1. Proper use of vaccines

2. Antibiotics

3. Screening and testing guidelines

4. Scientific improvements in the diagnosis of infectious disease-related health concerns" (Healthypeople, 2016).

There was a time back in the 1990's when Lyme vaccinations were offered. "In the 1990s, 2 vaccines against Lyme disease based on the OspA protein from the predominant Borrelia species showed to be safe and effective in clinical phase III studies. However, failed public acceptance led to the demise of these vaccines" (Kaaijk & Luytjes, 2015, p. 757). LYMErix was one of those vaccines that were released, but were later removed. It may come back as people increasingly start to realize the need for preventative measures to stop the progressive rate of Lyme disease infections.