First case of Lyme disease found in state

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000 | 10:39 a.m.

Symptoms include:

The middle-aged man had lived for several months in the Lee Canyon area of Mount Charleston, Clark County Health District epidemiologist Rose Bell said. No other details about the person were available because of confidentiality laws, she said.

"This is the first laboratory-confirmed case," Bell said. "It's the first I'm aware of."

The man reported his symptoms within the past month but did not have the characteristic bull's eye rash, Bell said.

"At least we know there is a possibility of acquiring Lyme disease if there are deer in the area," Bell said.

The man worked as a camp host in Lee Canyon this summer, Don Eastis, U.S. Forest Service recreation officer, said.

State Health Officer Randall Todd said 27 people have reported symptoms of Lyme disease in Nevada since 1994, but none of the cases were confirmed in a laboratory.

"We don't see very much of it in Nevada," Todd said.

In most of the cases, exposures from a tick bite occurred out of state, he said.

One of those cases was reported in Clark County in 1997 through the Nellis Air Force Base Hospital, Todd said. Nationwide, there were 3,446 cases reported in 1999, most in northeastern states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported 2,141 cases so far this year.

"When you look at a map of Lyme disease, Nevada kind of disappears," Todd said.

Lyme disease is caused by an organism that lives in certain types of ticks. The ticks are found May through October throughout the United States, especially on the East and West coasts and in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Although the Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine for Lyme disease, the best way to avoid it is prevention, Bell said.

Before hiking in remote areas of the Spring Mountains, check with park rangers or forest officials, Bell said.

Wear light-colored clothing and make sure arms and legs are covered. For extra protection, tuck pant legs into hiking boots.

Spreading an insecticide such as Deet on clothing before a hike will heighten protection, Bell said.

After a hike, check the whole body for ticks. If one is discovered, gently pull it out with tweezers held close to the skin. Cleanse the site with soap and water.

If any Lyme disease symptoms develop, check with a family physician, Bell said. Mary Manning

covers environmental issues for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-4065 or by e-mail at manning@lasvegassun.com