Lyme Disease Awareness and Prevention in Jefferson Township

Introduction: A Growing Public Health Concern

Jefferson Township, a part of Morris County, NJ, has experienced a surging problem with an increasing number of reported Lyme disease cases each year. Approximately 30,000 cases have been reported annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This growing number of cases has created concern, as afflicted patients look to doctors and nurses for help with what can become a chronic and debilitating illness. With Lyme disease quickly becoming the most common vector-borne illness within the northern hemisphere — particularly in towns like Jefferson — public health concerns have led to a desire to take steps to prevent and diagnose the disease.

Understanding Lyme Disease: Transmission and Symptoms

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 host. Symptoms range from fatigue and fever to headache and a characteristic rash known as erythema migrans (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2015). Early diagnosis of Lyme disease can lead to prompt treatment and full recovery. Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics during the early stages typically recover quickly and completely. However, a delayed diagnosis can mean the potential development of chronic Lyme disease. Although a controversial diagnosis, patients afflicted have reported continued symptoms lasting for years.

Improved awareness, additional research, better-quality diagnostics, and advances in therapeutics are immediately vital to addressing the growing concern of a potential Lyme disease epidemic. As Pearson (2014) notes, "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" (p. 37). If awareness can be increased through research and recognition of the early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, more people may receive the treatment they need to avoid the possibility of developing chronic illness.

At-Risk Populations and the Case for Early Detection

This is especially important because the segment of Jefferson's population most affected includes families with school-aged children and seniors. Children who are infected may not recognize that their symptoms indicate Lyme disease, and seniors may be unaware due to other existing health conditions. It is important to check the skin for any rashes and to recognize emerging symptoms. Early detection will greatly benefit the community by allowing for faster and complete recoveries.

Prevention efforts are also critical because of the nature of transmission. Wearing long pants and applying insect repellent may keep ticks from biting and prevent infection. If the problem is not addressed and preventive and awareness efforts are not implemented, the number of cases will continue to grow, as will chronic Lyme disease diagnoses.

Prevention Strategies and Community Goals

Politics have already prompted the creation of the chronic Lyme disease diagnosis. However, community values and priorities must now center on raising awareness and increasing prevention efforts to help keep families safe. The community can expect public service announcements, possible town meetings, and newsletters discussing ways to prevent Lyme disease infection and what to watch for regarding signs and symptoms.

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

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

Objective 2:
Primary — Promote prevention methods to thwart potential Lyme disease infections.
Secondary — Organize prevention newsletters.
Tertiary — Implementation of prevention models to improve high-quality care.

Objective 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 of the issue is raised. Prevention then becomes an engaging action, followed by continuing methods of intervention.

References

Davis, R. & Papachrisanthou, M. (2015). Influencing factors and decision-making regarding a painful summer rash. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 11(8), 836–838. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2015.04.015

Healthypeople. (2016). Immunization and infectious diseases — Healthy People 2020. Healthypeople.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2016, from

Kaaijk, P. & Luytjes, W. (2015). Vaccination against Lyme disease: Are we ready for it? Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 12(3), 757–762. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2015.1087628

Pearson, S. (2014). Recognising and understanding Lyme disease. Nursing Standard, 29(1), 37–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/ns.29.1.37.e9073

Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2015). Community/public health nursing online for Stanhope and Lancaster, Public Health Nursing (8th ed.). Mosby.