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TextLyme Disease Is Focus of July 22 Town Hall Meeting
July 17, 2009
OPA 134/09
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A town hall meeting will be held July 22 at 7 p.m. at Centreville High School, 6001 Union Mill Road, Clifton, to raise awareness of the dangers of Lyme disease and highlight the practical steps to take to prevent and reduce the risk of contracting the disease. The event will be hosted by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Sully District Supervisor Michael R. Frey.
Lyme disease cases in Virginia have doubled in the last few years. There were approximately 400 confirmed cases of the disease in Fairfax County during the last two years.
Speakers at the town hall meeting will include:
- Vicki Monroe, Fairfax County wildlife biologist.
- Monte Skall, executive director, National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association.
- Representatives from the Fairfax County Disease Carrying Insects Program.
Lyme disease is a bacterial illness transmitted by a tick bite. Within two days to a few weeks after being bitten by an infected tick, 60 percent of people develop a circular or oblong rash, which usually increases to two to three inches in diameter and sometimes to as large as 20 inches. As it enlarges, the center clears giving it a “bull's-eye” appearance. In addition to, or instead of the rash, a feeling of tiredness, headache, fever, stiff neck, muscle aches, joint pain and swollen lymph nodes can occur.
For more information on the town hall meeting, call the Springfield District Office at 703-451-8873, TTY 711, or the Sully District Office at 703-814-7100, TTY 711.
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Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director, Office of Public Affairs
703-324-3189, TTY 711, Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov
To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187, TTY 711
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