Interesting article, and timely for me as I plan to hike thru the Heart of Darkness this summer as I pass thru MA, NY, NJ and PA. The author did sampling all along the trail and found this:
Maybe I should start my hike in late July ...
He also discusses where he found them, and his own protection plan, which resulted in zero ticks on his bod - despite actively seeking them.
Lyme is a personal issue for me. My sister contracted lyme but it went undiagnosed for several years. She has spent a fortune battling the disease, the medical community, community health boards, and insurance companies - The latter three being split as to whether chronic lyme is a thing, leaving any proposed treatment plan uninsurable, and potentially threatening the doctor's license to practice.
I'll be wearing permethrin treated long trousers, long sleeve shirt and hat this summer ...
[IMG:http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/images/statstables/LD_2013_dot_map_550px.jpg]
Despite sampling multiple times in each state, no ticks were collected from GA, NC, TN, MD, CT, VT, NH and ME. While sampling occurred from mid-April until September, ticks were only collected between May 29 and July 21; other dates failed to collect ticks. Ticks became common as I hiked the AT from central Virginia to Massachusetts through mid-July. This is the time and location to be most alert. Elevation-wise, ticks are most abundant at <2000’. Not coincidentally, much of the AT from Maryland north through Massachusetts is <2000’ so is higher risk. While Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine also have a high incidence of Lyme disease, it is believed that most cases are attributed to densely populated lower elevations. Most of the AT terrain in these states is >2000’, so is lower risk. - See more at: lymedisease.org/news/touchedby…html#sthash.qIuhMnc5.dpuf
Maybe I should start my hike in late July ...
He also discusses where he found them, and his own protection plan, which resulted in zero ticks on his bod - despite actively seeking them.
Lyme is a personal issue for me. My sister contracted lyme but it went undiagnosed for several years. She has spent a fortune battling the disease, the medical community, community health boards, and insurance companies - The latter three being split as to whether chronic lyme is a thing, leaving any proposed treatment plan uninsurable, and potentially threatening the doctor's license to practice.
I'll be wearing permethrin treated long trousers, long sleeve shirt and hat this summer ...
[IMG:http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/images/statstables/LD_2013_dot_map_550px.jpg]
-
L.Dog
AT 2000 Mile LASHer '12-'15
L.Dog
AT 2000 Mile LASHer '12-'15