Why are we not outraged about Lyme disease and in the rise of other tick-borne diseases that inhabit our state? I get emails all the time with people asking, “Why does Maine have a tick problem?” and “What is Maine doing about it?” I will tell you my opinion and I welcome yours. It’s because of what we are being told by people that we trust and how our medical providers are approaching it. Even with new science revealing new tick species and new tick-borne diseases, the idea of being exposed to a tick-borne disease causes discomfort and outrage but not enough for people to take prevention more serious, do their tick checks, treat their pets, homes and yards. If it did, more would be using repellent and other prevention methods to avoid tick encounters at all cost. Many that I talk to who have friends and family who are suffering from a tick-borne disease do take it more seriously because they have a front row seat to the devastating effects this disease can have or sadly, have lost a loved one

As a society, we form opinions based on what we see, hear and experience. Sometimes it’s firsthand, other times, it’s based on what is shared with us.

Take Lyme disease for example. The Centers for Disease Control reported that Lyme disease was “the fastest growing infectious disease in the U.S.,” with new cases each year surpassing HIV and breast cancer, and the response was … nothing. Nothing changed with medical providers in the way they diagnosed and treated. Too many people are suffering in silence who deserve compassion, understanding, support and encouragement giving the fortitude in which they are handling their adversity.

People are afflicted with tick-borne disease in varying degrees. Some can work, some cannot. Some have had to reduce their hours. Others have had to make special accommodations in their lives and homes. Some can share their struggle and express their feelings, others have a very difficult time putting their thoughts together to make sense. Some have problems with their legs and walking, having to use a cane or wheelchair from time to time. Some have trouble processing and keeping up conversations. Some you will see in town from time to time, others isolate, finding solace in their homes. This is Lyme disease is all stages from acute to chronic. Then, when co-infections of other tick-borne diseases are not identified and treated, when the disease is allowed to disseminate throughout your body, into your organs and tissue, the resulting symptoms and degrees of severity can vary as well.

We cannot go around calling something “the fastest growing infectious disease in the U.S.” and sit back and do nothing while new cases continue to be reporting every month. We need to be on the same page and in agreement that something needs to be done ~ and done now ~ before another life is lost and another family devastated by tick-borne disease.

Paula is the president of the MLDSE , 2018 co-chair of the Access to Care Services and Patient Support subcommittee of the federal HHS Tick-borne Disease Working Group, the Maine-partner of the national Lyme Disease Association, member of Maine’s CDC Vector-borne Workgroup and active in state and federal Lyme legislation