Lyme disease on rise in Calhoun County

Lyme disease cases are on the rise in Central Alabama. So much so, the State Department of Health is calling it an “endemic” in a number of counties.  Recently, State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson sent a letter to a number of healthcare providers warning them the “endemic” is in at least seven Alabama counties. The counties include Calhoun, Chambers, Jefferson, Mobile, Shelby, Russell and Tuscaloosa. We're told in order for an endemic, there must have been at least two confirmed cases within the county.  Lyme disease symptoms include chills, fever, headache, joint and muscle pain and stiff neck.  Health officials say the reason the disease is often misdiagnosed is because the symptoms often mimic a number of other illnesses.

Officials say 30 people have been treated for Lyme disease-like symptoms within DCH’s Regional Medical facilities in the Tuscaloosa area.