Contagion Live
In this first segment, moderator Peter L. Salgo, MD, asks experts Robert C. Bransfield, MD, DLFAPA; Samuel Shor, MD, FACP; Leonard Sigal, MD; and Patricia V. Smith to provide an overview of Lyme disease and discuss the geographical spread that has occurred over the past several years.
NYC Senator, Sue Serino of the 41st District, is the Chair of the Senate’s Task Force on Lyme and TBIs. Task Force members and state leaders in New York are holding awareness events across the state. One event was a public forum, in the video above, busting prevalent myths surrounding all things TBI related.
Microbiologist Holly Ahern speaks first and educates the public on common Lyme and TBI myths. Then Dr. Matt Frye, Integrative Pest Management IPM specialist, speaks on myths about ticks.
https://a.pgtb.me/tgZFPJ Take a Bite Out of Lyme Disease website with more info.
**This is a fantastic talk full of great and accurate information.
My only possible disagreement is that Frye states ticks can not fall & bite from trees. I’ve heard many patients swear (including the recent video I posted of TV anchor Mike Schneider) they were bit as they sat under a tree on a patio. https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/07/13/tv-anchor-speaks-out-about-lyme-disease/
Besides loving Japanese Barberries (shrub), https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2015/09/30/barberry-friend-or-foe/ ticks at least here in Wisconsin love certain pine trees and I personally know of a family that would hang their laundry on a line outside where the clothes would gather ticks quite possibly from the pine trees that hung over top the line. They would find the ticks when they dumped the laundry onto the bed. Both the husband and wife become infected this way.
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/03/13/ticks-found-on-rocks/ This link reveals that ticks can show up in unexpected places like on top of rocks, under picnic tables, and on picnic benches.
As to trees and using logic, if birds and small rodents travel up and down trees 24/7, it only makes sense some are going to drop off and find a blood meal.
The Lyme Disease Association announced that early today, July 14, the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) released its intent to establish the Tick-Borne Disease (TBD) Working Group called for in Section 2062 of the 21st Century Cures Act.
The working group will assist HHS in its efforts to conduct and support epidemiological, basic, translational and clinical research related to vector-borne diseases, including tick-borne diseases. The working group will function as a Federal Advisory Committee and its activities will be overseen by HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
Language to create the TBD Working Group was incorporated into the 21st Century Cures Act, thanks to the work of Congressman Chris Gibson, advocates, and Lyme Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Chris Smith who all carefully monitored the progress of the Lyme disease bill they supported that was introduced into the House in 2015 (HR 789 Gibson- NY). There was intense grassroots lobbying efforts to ensure the language in the bill was beneficial to patients. Subsequently, some of that language was incorporated into the 21st Century Cures Act passed by the House. The Senate, however, wanted to write its own Cures Act and weakened that Lyme language, and the Lyme community had to fight to get it back. Successful negotiations with House Leadership were led by LDA President Pat Smith and a team of advocates to have the stronger language reinstituted into 21st Century Cures, which enabled the Working Group to have a seat at the table for some of the most important stakeholders: patients/advocates and treating physicians.
The working group’s mission will be to review all the efforts within HHS related to tick-borne diseases, to examine research priorities, to help ensure interagency coordination and to minimize overlap. The working group will be made up of representatives from both federal and non-federal agencies and entities.
HHS is seeking nominations for non-federal members through August 15, 2017. Information is available in the Federal Register Notice:
In other information from Washington, DC, the House passed HR 2810 authorization for appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense. It contained an amendment from US Representative Bill Keating (MA) that permits the DOD to partner with medical researchers and universities to test for tick-borne illnesses.
**For more on the bill language**
SEC. 2062. TICK-BORNE DISEASES.
(a) In General.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as “the Secretary”) shall continue to conduct or support epidemiological, basic, translational, and clinical research related to vector-borne diseases, including tick-borne diseases.
(b) Reports.—The Secretary shall ensure that each triennial report under section 403 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 283) (as amended by section 2032) includes information on actions undertaken by the National Institutes of Health to carry out subsection (a) with respect to tick-borne diseases.
(c) Tick-Borne Diseases Working Group.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a working group, to be known as the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (referred to in this section as the “Working Group”), comprised of representatives of appropriate Federal agencies and other non-Federal entities, to provide expertise and to review all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services related to all tick-borne diseases, to help ensure interagency coordination and minimize overlap, and to examine research priorities.
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The working group shall—
(A) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, develop or update a summary of—
(i) ongoing tick-borne disease research, including research related to causes, prevention, treatment, surveillance, diagnosis, diagnostics, duration of illness, and intervention for individuals with tick-borne diseases;
(ii) advances made pursuant to such research;
(iii) Federal activities related to tick-borne diseases, including—
(I) epidemiological activities related to tick-borne diseases; and
(II) basic, clinical, and translational tick-borne disease research related to the pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases;
(iv) gaps in tick-borne disease research described in clause (iii)(II);
(v) the Working Group’s meetings required under paragraph (4); and
(vi) the comments received by the Working Group;
(B) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding any appropriate changes or improvements to such activities and research; and
(C) solicit input from States, localities, and nongovernmental entities, including organizations representing patients, health care providers, researchers, and industry regarding scientific advances, research questions, surveillance activities, and emerging strains in species of pathogenic organisms.
(3) MEMBERSHIP.—The members of the working group shall represent a diversity of scientific disciplines and views and shall be composed of the following members:
(A) FEDERAL MEMBERS.—Seven Federal members, consisting of one or more representatives of each of the following:
(i) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
(ii) The Food and Drug Administration.
(iii) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(iv) The National Institutes of Health.
(v) Such other agencies and offices of the Department of Health and Human Services as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(B) NON–FEDERAL PUBLIC MEMBERS.—Seven non–Federal public members, consisting of representatives of the following categories:
(i) Physicians and other medical providers with experience in diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases.
(ii) Scientists or researchers with expertise.
(iii) Patients and their family members.
(iv) Nonprofit organizations that advocate for patients with respect to tick-borne diseases.
(v) Other individuals whose expertise is determined by the Secretary to be beneficial to the functioning of the Working Group.
(4) MEETINGS.—The Working Group shall meet not less than twice each year.
(5) REPORTING.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter until termination of the Working Group pursuant to paragraph (7), the Working Group shall—
(A) submit a report on its activities under paragraph (2)(A) and any recommendations under paragraph (2)(B) to the Secretary, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and
(B) make such report publicly available on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(6) APPLICABILITY OF FACA.—The Working Group shall be treated as an advisory committee subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(7) SUNSET.—The Working Group under this section shall terminate 6 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
http://hudsonvalleypost.com/new-york-man-dies-from-rare-tick-carrying-brain-swelling-virus/
The daughter of a man who lived just outside the Hudson Valley is warning the public after her father died from a tick that carries a rare brain swelling virus.
In early May or late April, 74-year-old Charles Smith of Saratoga County discovered a tick bite near his elbow. Ten days later, Smith became very sick and was rushed to a hospital.
After a number of tests, he was diagnosed with the Powassan virus and died in early
June, reports WYNT.
The Powassan virus is spread by the same deer tick that carries Lyme disease. Powassan, which in some cases has been fatal, attacks the nervous system and can cause a dangerous brain swelling.
Other symptoms can include vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures and memory loss.
There is currently no treatment for the virus, which according to the CDC kills around 10% of people who become sick. Half are left with permanent neurological problems.
At the families urging, on Wednesday, the New York State Department of Health confirmed that Smith was diagnosed with the Powassan virus.
“Why has it taken us to to contact you to make people aware?” Stephanie wondered to WYNT.
To decrease your risk of being infected with the Powassan virus the CDC recommends using tick repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants, avoiding bushy and wooded areas and doing thorough tick checks after spending time outdoor.
Correction: This article originally stated that the death of 17-year-old Poughkeepsie High School Joseph Elone in 2013 was from Powassan virus.
While Powassan virus was initially suspected, Elone in fact died of Lyme carditis, according to the Lyme Action Network.
**Comment**
If you’ve read the articles I’ve posted this summer about Powassan you will realize it can no longer be called “rare.” Too many have died in such a short period of time.
Also, the daughter of the deceased makes a valid point: she had to contact authorities. This is a huge reason why they are stating it is “rare.” How many people are going to think of contacting authorities when they are grieving a loved one? This should be a reportable disease in every state, requiring health professionals to report it. This should also hold true for every other tick borne infection. Those of us with boots on the ground know full well these infections are NOT rare – just rarely diagnosed and reported.
Despite what authorities say, there are things you can do for viruses besides hydrate people: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/03/28/combating-viruses/
http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/ozone-therapy-treatment-cancer/2015/03/20/id/631395/ Ozone was first used in medicine at the end of the 19th century to treat tuberculosis. During World War I, medics used it to disinfect wounds. Since the 1950s, ozone therapy has gained popularity throughout the world. More than 45,000 physicians in 50 countries now administer ozone. Ozone is typically administered with one of two different IV methods:
Major Auto-Hemotherapy (MAH), in which blood is drawn from the patient, exposed to ozone and re-injected into the patient.
Direct Intravenous Ozone Therapy (DIV), in which oxygen and ozone are directly infused into the patient’s bloodstream.
http://medicalozone.info/ozone-therapy-infected-blood/ Here ozone has an inhibitory effect upon parasites. The parasites are subjected to an increased oxidative stress, and their reproductive cycle is disrupted. Ozonation was carried out at a concentration of 80 µg/ml in a RBC suspension. Optimal growth inhibition was obtained by applying ozone twice, i.e. immediately before and after infection.
http://www.oxygenhealingtherapies.com/Why_Ozone_Therapy.html More About Viruses
“In each reproducing cell in our bodies there are two substances: RNA and DNA – the ‘helix’ form discovered by Crick and Watson. They contain the genetic blueprint for the cell, and the whole body. Viruses are not cells, they are either RNA or DNA genetic material – but not both – surrounded by a coat of protein. Since they have only half of the genetic material, they cannot reproduce on their own. They multiply by attaching themselves to the inner RNA or DNA of normal cells, taking it over and forcing the cell to make more of the virus. Picture slave labor. They wait there and emerge when our defenses are down! Outside of their host cell they are basically inert so it is clear that they are ‘hiding out’ in the cells, and must be uncovered within the cell to be destroyed before they manifest their destructive potential. This is where the amazing property of ozone to invade diseased cells, uncovering and destroying the disease or virus, is so effective.”Although MAH improves many diseases and conditions, it rarely eliminates them. So many doctors prefer DIV, which is safer to perform, yet more powerful in its effects. “DIV is the only way you can get rid of something,” says Robins. According to proponents, ozone therapy is broadly effective because it attacks and removes disease-causing agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, molds, yeast, and toxic metals.
Although ozone therapy is often denigrated by mainstream physicians in the U.S., in other countries such as Germany, it is considered safe and a standard of care. “When people ask why ozone therapy isn’t more available in the United States, I say it’s because it’s not a patentable medicine and the drug companies can’t make any money off it,” says Robins. “That’s probably the main reason why it’s been suppressed.”
For a list of ozone therapists, go to oxygentherapyexperts.com.
More on Powassan:
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/02/21/powassan-virus/
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/04/29/more-powassan-in-maine/
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/06/28/powassan-can-kill/
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/05/05/powassan-another-reason-to-avoid-ticks/
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/08/31/wi-coppe-lab-in-the-news/
An unpublished 2010 study showed more than 15% of Lyme patients had Powassan. A study completed in May of 106 patients with suspected acute tick borne disease showed 10.4 % had Powassan.
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/06/07/dr-david-baewer-coppe-labs/
Coppe Labs in Wisconsin is a CLIA certified lab – the only other lab that tests for Powassan besides the CDC. They also test for many other viruses and can tell if the virus is active or latent.
THE ANCHORMAN’S SECRET
On July 10, legendary news anchor Mike Schneider took to social media to discuss his yearslong battle with Lyme disease. He stated he tweeted recently because he was, “pissed,” at how the media is handling Lyme Disease coverage.
After reading an article from The Daily Beast, Schneider tweeted, “Why do so many fellow journalists mock or downplay #LymeDisease ? It’s real, destructive & getting worse. I’ve been battling #Lyme. I know.”
This tweet was the first time Schneider openly discussed his battle with Lyme disease and its effects.
Follow Mike Schneider on twitter @MikeSchneiderNJTV.
