Effectiveness of
Personal Protective Measures to Prevent Lyme
Disease
[Posted 02/21/2008]
On
the Centers for Disease Control’s Emerging
Infectious Diseases website, a study led by the Yale
University School of Medicine examines how well
clothing and repellants protect people from Lyme
disease in both occupational and recreational
situations.
Abstract
After the manufacture of Lyme vaccine was
discontinued in 2002, strategies to prevent Lyme
disease (LD) have focused on personal protective
measures. Effectiveness of these measures has not
been conclusively demonstrated. The aim of our
case-control study was to assess the effectiveness
of personal preventive measures in a highly
disease-endemic area. Case-patients were persons
with LD reported to Connecticut's Department of
Public Health and classified as having definite,
possible, or unlikely LD. Age-matched controls
without LD were identified. Study participants were
interviewed to assess the practice of preventive
measures and to obtain information on occupational
and recreational risk factors. Use of protective
clothing was 40% effective; routine use of tick
repellents on skin or clothing was 20% effective.
Checking one's body for ticks and spraying property
with acaricides were not effective. We concluded
that use of protective clothing and of tick
repellents (on skin or clothing) are effective in
preventing LD.
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CDC Abstract and Article
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