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Article: What you don't see can hurt you; State health officials say tick-borne illnesses are at record levels in Minnesota, and they warn that a tiny tick bite can be deadly.(NEWS)
- Article from:
- Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
- Article date:
- May 17, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Star Tribune Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Jill Burcum; Staff Writer
Two diseases spread by deer ticks struck a record number of Minnesotans last year, prompting state health officials to warn that it is critical for people to guard against tick bites this summer.
Doctors diagnosed 465 cases of Lyme disease in the state last year, up 64 percent from 1999. Cases of a potentially fatal but less well-known tick condition called human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) more than doubled to 79 last year.
Both diseases are transmitted by the sesame-seed-sized deer tick.
If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause heart damage, neurological problems and arthritis. Two to 3 percent ...