‘He lost his use of his arms and shoulders’
A New Jersey family is raising awareness about the dangers of tick-borne diseases that are becoming more common as the climate in the Northeastern United States increasingly favors breeding and activity among insects.
What’s going on?
A New Jersey man who contracted Lyme disease says he has been struggling with ongoing neurological symptoms for years. In late January, Mike Gallagher’s community hosted a benefit concert to help fund his ongoing treatments, the Asbury Park Press reported. reported.
“It’s all in his head, neck and shoulders,” Mike’s wife, Jen Gallagher, told the press. “He can’t use his arms or shoulders, and the greatest love of his life was his guitar. He can’t even hold his guitar anymore.”
As the planet continues to warm, such stories are likely to become more common. Ticks thrive in warm, moist environments, and changing weather conditions as well as rising temperatures in the Northeastern U.S. have allowed their populations to increase in recent years. accordingly Experts at Boston University.
Reported cases of Lyme disease have accordingly increased; Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended. Ticks are also gradually expanding their range, which leads to the spread of diseases to places previously undisturbed by insects.
Why is Lyme disease a concern?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through the bites of infected ticks. It can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and joint pain, as well as a characteristic “bullseye” rash. accordingly CDC.
Sometimes, and for reasons doctors don’t fully understand, Lyme symptoms can persist even after the infection has been treated with antibiotics, sometimes leading to a diagnosis of: Lyme disease syndrome after treatmentor select PTLDS.
Tick-borne diseases and diseases spread by other vectors – including mosquitoesViruses that can transmit malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika are just some of the many public health risks people will face as temperatures rise.
Rising global temperatures may also increase the threat of heat-related deaths and devastating weather events. They may even reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, one of our most powerful tools in the fight against disease.
What is being done about Lyme disease?
Scientists are working on a vaccine that could help prevent the spread of Lyme disease; Of course, provided that weather changes do not affect the effectiveness of the vaccine and fair access is ensured.
In the meantime, prevention will be the best option for most people.
In addition to trying to reduce rising temperatures through meaningful transitions to clean energy systems, experts say to recommend Wearing long sleeves and pants to cover exposed skin when spending time in the woods or wooded areas. Also include using safe repellents, checking skin regularly for ticks, and removing all visible check marks with tweezers.
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