05/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2024 14:10
Contact: Caroline Cornish
[email protected]
SCARBOROUGH, Maine - May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and scientists with the Vector-Borne Disease Lab at the MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) are conducting several surveys and research projects this spring and summer to better understand deer tick ecology and tick-borne illness, including Lyme disease, and field testing novel approaches to tick control.
Among the projects:
Maine had a record 2,983 preliminary cases of Lyme disease, a new record, along with 777 preliminary cases of Anaplasmosis and 194 preliminary cases of Babesiosis in 2023, according to the Maine CDC. People seeking additional information about ticks and tick control methods can find resources on the MHIR website including:
The CDC also has several resources with more information on vector-borne diseases on its website.
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About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is "Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America." It consists of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and 1,700 employed providers working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 employees, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. It includes Franklin Memorial Hospital/Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, LincolnHealth in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, Maine Behavioral Healthcare in South Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., Mid Coast-Parkview Health in Brunswick, NorDx in Scarborough, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital in Rockport and Belfast, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook and Stephens Memorial Hospital/Western Maine Health Care in Norway. MaineHealth Affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville, New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland.