Maryland’s Lyme disease cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention increased by more than 650 percent from 1993 to 2009, according to the Lyme Disease Research Foundation of Maryland. Between 2007 and 2008, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease in Howard County tripled.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted by the bite of an infected black-legged tick carried by deer. The tick must be attached to your skin for at least 24 hours.

According to the Maryland Community Health Administration, three to 30 days after a tick bite, 70 to 80 percent of infected people will see a gradually expanding rash at the bite site that may resemble a bull’s eye. “Infected people may have a fever, headache, fatigue or joint pains. It also can cause facial muscle paralysis and meningitis,” says Mateen Awan, M.D. (right), an internist on staff at Howard County General Hospital. “If untreated, you may experience a loss of muscle tone, severe headaches, neck stiffness, shooting pains, heart palpitations and dizziness, severe joint pain, memory loss and difficulty concentrating. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your physician immediately; most Lyme disease cases can be cured with antibiotics if diagnosed and treated early.”

Dr. Awan’s tips to decrease your risk:

• When outdoors, wear light-colored long pants and long sleeves.
• Avoid wooded or bushy areas with tall grass and leaves.
• Talk to your veterinarian about tick control for your pets.
• Check yourself, your kids and your pets for ticks after being outdoors.

Read more about Lyme disease on the Howard County General Hospital web site.