Doctors see uptick in Lyme diagnoses

MetroWest Daily News
By Jon Brodkin
At one suburban clinic, the increase in the number of Lyme disease infections are ``unbelievable.''
Compared to last summer, nearly three times as many cases of the tick-borne infection is being diagnosed in some regions from the woods to the Cape.
``It's a joke. It's unbelievable,'' said Dr. Thomas Treadwell of Framingham. ``There's been days when I've seen five or six cases a day.''
The danger appears to be in areas along the Charles River, Southboro and Framingham.
Statewide, Lyme disease cases appear to be about the same as last year, though some areas are experiencing high infection rates, said Dr. Bela Matyas, medical director of the state Department of Public Health's epidemiology program.
``There are different pockets that have been reporting a little bit more, some reporting a little bit less,'' Matyas said.
Cape Cod and the islands are usually among the hardest-hit by Lyme disease, Matyas said. Health care providers are required to report cases to the DPH, but good statistics won't be available until December because Lyme disease usually isn't reported immediately, he said.
In suburban areas, a resurgent population of deer has made Lyme disease more common.