Lyme disease group's future is under cloud
Director's death leaves big void
By Elizabeth Lynch
Poughkeepsie Journal
A longtime advocate in the fight to prevent the spread of ticks and Lyme disease has died, leaving the future of the organization he headed uncertain.
David Weld, 66, executive director the American Lyme Disease Foundation based in Somers, Westchester County, died last week. He had served as the head of the foundation since 1990 and was a founding member in 1987.
"My impression was he really was the foundation," said Rick Ostfeld, an ecologist at the Institute for Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook. Ostfeld worked with Weld for three years on a program to reduce Lyme disease in Dutchess County. Weld was "was the idea person, he was the fundraiser, he was the mover and shaker, he was the brains in the project," Ostfeld said.
The foundation's board of directors is committed to continuing the Web site and current programs at least through this season, foundation board member James Handelman said.
"We are committed to keeping the foundation going ... because the value of the information that it provides, as well as the Web site, are valid reasons for keeping that in existence," Handelman said. "I do not know if David Weld will be replaced. This was such a shock and so sudden."
Weld, a biologist, lived in Pound Ridge in Westchester. He died June 5 of cancer.
Weld will be missed in the fight against Lyme, said even those who disagreed with his beliefs.
Disease views vary
The foundation has held a conservative view about Lyme disease and maintained the disease was easily diagnosed, treated and cured. Other groups believe the disease is very difficult to diagnose and can produce some strange side-effects.
The differences made it difficult for some groups to work with Weld.
"Certainly we mourn his passing .... and we hope we can all work together and move forward," said Tom Forschner, executive director of the Connecticut-based Lyme Disease Foundation.
Weld, said Forschner, "was our local opposition. We did have a difference of opinion."
But Forschner called Weld "honorable" and said the two organizations' opposing viewpoints helped highlight how difficult it can be to diagnose and treat Lyme.
Jill Auerbach, chairwoman of the Hudson Valley Lyme Disease Association, said she often was at odds with Weld but they agreed on one thing — ticks are at the root of the problem and need to be controlled.
"I considered him a friend. We respected each other for our opinions, while we knew they were different," she said.
Dr. Gary Wormser, chief of infectious disease at Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, said Weld's conservative viewpoint will be missed.
He said Weld acted as a counter-balance to some of the misinformation being spread about Lyme.
"He represented a viewpoint that was extremely rational," Wormser said.
Treatment station developed
Pat Smith, president of the New Jersey-based Lyme Disease Association, pointed out Weld and the foundation focused on prevention and developed the 4-poster Deer Treatment Bait Station. The unit was designed to kill ticks that feed on deer and prevent them from being spread. The station cannot be used in New York.
She said she hoped Weld's successor will continue those efforts.
"Nobody else was really involved in prevention," Smith said.
Dr. Michael Caldwell, Dutchess County's health commissioner, said he worked with Weld on a Lyme prevention grant.
"He really was a strong and constant voice in the fight against Lyme disease," he said. "He was especially concerned with assuring we all could enjoy the outdoors" without the threat of Lyme disease.
Weld created a pocket-sized card to help people identify ticks, created traveling exhibits and other educational materials, Ostfeld said.
"He was ... very progressive about trying to target groups that were high risk but often neglected" such as landscapers and those with darker skin on who it may be difficult noticing a tick or the classic bulls-eye rash.
"I admired him and liked him personally," Ostfeld said.
