PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS the California Legislature has declared May, 2007, Lyme Disease Awareness
Month;
WHEREAS Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by spirochetal (spy-roh-keet-al)
bacteria called Borrelia carried by ticks;
WHEREAS California is home to more species of Borrelia than any other state in the United
States;
WHEREAS an average of 7 percent of the poppy-seed-sized nymphal ticks in Mendocino
County are infected with the Lyme disease bacteria;
WHEREAS these ticks are carried by mice, rabbits, squirrels, deer, birds and other forms of
wildlife and domestic animals into the backyards and homes of the citizens of Mendocino
County, as well at outlying fields and forests where they work and recreate;
WHEREAS traditional methods of removing embedded ticks by burning, twisting,
suffocating, or mutilating are dangerous and can increase the risk of acquiring the infection; and
additionally that ticks are so small and hard to detect that most people who get Lyme disease do
not recall being bitten and do not develop the characteristic rash;
WHEREAS 79% of the residents of a rural community in the county have evidence of having
been bitten by ticks, and over one third of the residents were diagnosed with definite or probable
Lyme disease;
WHEREAS Lyme disease affects the brain, heart, joints, and other body organs and mimics
many other diseases. Patients are often misdiagnosed with more familiar conditions including
depression, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibro-myalgia, multiple sclerosis, or psychiatric
illness;
WHEREAS, citizens of Mendocino County call the California Lyme Disease Association
and describe their difficulties in obtaining diagnosis and treatment locally. Many area residents
travel long distances to see specialists. Some are disabled, unable to work and have no health
insurance;
WHEREAS it is in May that a new generation of nymphal ticks emerges. Thus it is fitting
that May be declared Lyme Disease Awareness Month;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kendall Smith, on behalf of my fellow Mendocino County
supervisors, proclaim May, 2007,
LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH IN MENDOCINO COUNTY
in order to encourage the citizens of Mendocino County to seek accurate information about
effective ways to protect themselves from ticks; appropriate treatment, including prophylactic treatment for tick bites and long term antibiotic treatment for chronic cases; and which tests to order to support the diagnosis of this serious and debilitating disease.
