San Mateo County: Public Education and Other Activities: Lyme Disease and Ticks

Entomology Report March 2007, San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District

• Dr. Chindi Peavey, the District Vector Ecologist, gave a presentation on Lyme Disease Ecology and Surveillance at El Camino Hospital on March 17 in conjunction with Dr. Anne Kjemtrup, from the California Department of Health Services, and Victor Romano, from Santa Clara County Vector Control.
• Laboratory staff distributed a press release on the presence of vector ticks in vacant lots in a well-developed residential area in Pacifica. This story was picked up and published in an article by the Pacifica Tribune. The article has generated a number of calls from residents on the coast. Laboratory staff visited additional sites and spoke with residents about ways to reduce the risk of acquiring Lyme Disease.
• Legislation declaring May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month is currently going through the state legislature.

Survey of San Mateo County Physicians on Lyme Disease

Entomology Report March 2007, San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District

A pilot survey was performed to determine attitudes and beliefs of physicians in San Mateo County on the acquisition of Lyme Disease in the county, treatment options, and the possibilities of co-infections. Training was provided by the San Mateo County Public Health Department on survey completion and the pilot was performed with local infectious disease doctors. The questionnaire is now in the process of redesign to accommodate the needs of doctors for the full survey.

Previous related entries:

San Mateo County Physician Survey on Lyme Disease, November/December 2006