Lyme disease often undiagnosed in Ky.

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Associated Press

Story Created: Sun Aug 5, 2012 1:47 PM

Story Updated: Sun Aug 5, 2012 1:47 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Experts say Lyme disease is likely underdiagnosed in Kentucky in part because it is so rarely seen in the state.

The number of cases is rising nationally, but just five cases were reported in Kentucky in each of the past two years.
Mike Schardein, a health policy specialist for the state's Department for Public Health, told The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/M9h1OT) that he believes there are several cases that haven't been confirmed because doctors don't test for it.
Lyme disease is spread by the black-legged deer tick, which is rarely seen in Kentucky.
Greater Louisville Medical Society spokeswoman Ellen Hale says that organization is drafting a policy on how to treat possible Lyme disease cases. She says there's "a gray area" surrounding them because information from the state says the disease doesn't exist in Kentucky.
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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com