We would like to share our concerns with you about Lyme disease, a rapidly emerging threat to dogs in our area. Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks, can lead to symptoms including lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and in severe cases inflammation of the kidneys, which can be fatal. We recommend that any of our canine patients at risk for exposure to ticks be vaccinated against Lyme disease.
Virginia health officials are creating a task force to explore prevention and treatment of Lyme disease.
Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel announced the panel on Friday.
Officials say the task force will look at diagnosis, prevention, public education and medical treatment of Lyme disease as well as the impact of the disease on children. It will issue recommendations and information to Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Hazel said the governor requested the creation of this task force to address the increased prevalence of Lyme disease in Virginia.
Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged "deer tick."
The disease causes flulike symptoms and can be treated by antibiotics.
No comments:
Post a Comment