San Mateo County: Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California Annual Conference (Physician Survey on Lyme Disease)

Entomology Report January 2008, San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District

Two laboratory staff presented research in the tick-borne disease symposium at the 2007 annual meeting of the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California. Chindi Peavey, Vector Ecologist, spoke about tularemia, a disease of rabbits and rodents that can sometimes be transmitted to people. There have been 2 cases of tularemia in children in the past 3 years that have been traced to tick exposure on the coast near Pescadero. The District conducted follow-up investigations of these cases with the California department of Public Health in 2004 and 2006.

Assistant Vector Ecologist Lauren Marcus presented the findings of a physician survey performed in San Mateo County, in conjunction with the San Mateo County Health Department. Physicians were asked about their beliefs about Lyme Disease (LD). 86% of respondents believe that LD can be acquired locally. 73% of physicians note that 1 to 5 patients seek medical attention due to a tick bite annually and diagnose an average of 1.4 LD cases in 5 years. Of those who have diagnosed a patient with LD, 40% observed an erythma migrans (EM) rash and 52% stated that the patient had recalled a tick bite within three months of symptom onset. Physicians were asked what types of public education materials would be most useful. A resounding 80% wanted data on tick infection prevalence in the County, followed by 78% who wanted fact sheets on tick ecology, risk exposure, and prevention information. Finally, 73% wanted tick ID cards. Overall, the physician survey was successful in determining beliefs towards LD and what forms of educational materials were desired.