Pittsfield Raises Concerns Over Rise in Tick-Borne Illnesses
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Health Department has expressed concern with a growing number of cases of tick-borne illnesses.
Public health nurse Kayla Donnelly-Winters cited rising numbers of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA)and Lyme disease over the last three years. In 2014, she said there were 15 cases of HGA and 51 cases of Lyme. In 2016, the number of HGA was up to 17 and 82 for Lyme. This year, the number of cases of HGA is already at 25 and there have been 74 cases of Lyme.
"Until the ground freezes, we're still going to see these cases," she said.
Anaplasmosis is potentially fatal if not treated properly if only for less than 1 percent of those infected. It can lead to difficulty breathing, hemorrhages, and renal failure. Lyme disease can cause fatigue, fevers and chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. It can spread to the nervous system and heart.
The numbers show a steady uptick over years and Donnelly-Winters says such diseases are typically underreported. Board of Health member Dr. Alan Kulberg said the actual number of cases is historically underreported.
"I think we've been underreporting for years. You see a case, you take care of it," he said.
Board of Health member Steve Smith questioned whether the percentage of cases being underreported has changed over the years or if there are actually more cases. He added that he has noticed more ticks this year than in years past.
Donnelly-Winters said she interviews people with HGA and has found that many didn't even realize they were bitten by a tick. That shows that many people are not properly checking for ticks or not checking at all. She said she has been on many forums and in meetings with groups to help educate the public on the best ways to avoid ticks and what to do if one is found.
"When you look at the numbers it is really critically important," Health Director Gina Armstrong said.
And this isn't the first time the city has raised concern about the increasing numbers. Back in 2015, then Public Health Nurse Deborah Rice reported a similar rise in numbers.
In other business, the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project will be spraying a one-mile radius around the Route 41 and Route 20 intersection — the roads of 41 to the Richmond line, Route 20 to Callahan Drive, Cloverdale and Branch Streets, Southpond Drive, Thistledown, Scace, Sunny Croft, and Windmer — Thursday night from 10 p.m. until midnight.
The spraying is in response ot the presence of West Nile virus which was found in a collection. Armstrong said the positive findings, added to high population numbers and the presence of mosquito species which are more likely to have the disease led to the call for a spraying.
"It is very limited and just because of the sustained activity in that area," Armstrong said.
The virus is found just about every year since the project began collecting and testing for the disease in mosquito populations. The use of truck-mounted sprays had previously come under scrutiny from numerous city residents claiming the sprays were ineffective and harmed the environment and human health.
But, the Board of Health believes the sprays are harmless and prevents humans from getting West Nile or eastern equine encephalitis.
The Health Department is also down two people right now, slowing its ability to respond to residents' concerns about blight. A nuisance control officer is taking a job with another department in the city and will be leaving that role in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, another inspector went out on medical leave. The number of inspections performed has already decreased and addressing nuisance issues is expected to slow.
"This is, unfortunately, a reoccurring issue we have," Chairman Jay Green said of staffing changes, but adding that he still wants constituents to call and report issues.
Tags: disease, lyme disease, mosquito spraying, ticks, West Nile,
