Los Angeles Times
San Fernando Valley News

Thursday, February 19, 1998

Lyme Disease Tick Discovered in Topanga Park
By T. CHRISTIAN MILLER, CLAIRE VITUCCI, Special to The Times

A tick found in the Topanga area has tested positive
for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, marking
the first such finding in Southern California,
according to a county disease transmission specialist.
At a press conference this morning, officials from the
West Vector Control District--which monitors
insect-borne diseases--will discuss the finding and the
possible increased local threat of Lyme disease.
Previously the disease has been found mostly on the
East Coast of the United States and in the Pacific
Northwest.
The tick was found about two weeks ago by a female
hiker, who sent it in for testing after a walk through
Topanga State Park.
Although the test was a "strong positive," according to
Robert Saviskas, head of the control district,
officials need more evidence before confirming the
arrival of disease-carrying ticks in Los Angeles.
At the press conference, to be held at the state park,
officials will caution hikers and ask for help in
finding other ticks for testing, Saviskas said.
"The test isn't absolutely foolproof, but considering
what we know," said Saviskas, "there is a much greater
likelihood that it's positive than negative. We want
the public to know to take additional care when they're
around ticks."
Saviskas said the woman who found the tick has shown no
signs of the debilitating disease, which can cause
severe neurological symptoms similar to Alzheimer's if
left untreated.
Lyme disease is transmitted by the Western black-legged
tick, found throughout California in low-lying grasses
and shrubs. Ticks carrying the disease have been found
as far south as Santa Barbara County, but never in Los
Angeles County, Saviskas said.
Nonetheless, county health officials reported 28 cases
of the disease in Los Angeles between 1989 and 1996,
with at least 16 of the cases contracted elsewhere.
Officials could not determine the origin of the other
cases.
Statewide, about 1,500 cases of Lyme disease were
reported between 1989 and 1997.
Dozens of Malibu residents complained to county health
officials last spring that they had contracted Lyme
disease, although the health officials could not
confirm an outbreak or find any evidence of the
disease-carrying ticks. The Lyme bacterium causes a
range of symptoms common to other illnesses, making it
extremely difficult to diagnose.
The disease is not transmitted to humans quickly.
Usually, a tick must feed on a human for 12 to 24 hours
before transmission takes place. Lyme disease is
treatable with antibiotics if caught in the early
stages.
Initial symptoms are flu-like, and can include a red
ring around the original bite that looks similar to a
bull's eye. As the disease progresses, painful aches
develop in the joints. In its final stage, severe
neurological damage can result. In rare cases, the
disease is fatal.
Health officials are especially concerned about the
latest finding, because February marks the beginning of
tick season in Southern California. At this time of
year, when the freckle-sized ticks that cause the
disease are beginning to hatch, they are especially
small and difficult to see.
Saviskas recommended that hikers wear long sleeves and
light-colored clothes, with pants tucked into their
socks. He also suggested full body checks after a hike.
If a tick is found, it should be removed with pointed
tweezers.
County officials are asking anyone who finds a tick to
call a special tick hotline to summon a county worker
to pick up the insect for testing. The number is (310)
915-7370, Ext. 505.
"This is a particularly important time for everybody to
look themselves over," Saviskas said.
There was at least some confusion in county government
circles Wednesday evening over release of the news
about the tick. Sharon Wanglin, spokeswoman for the
county's Department of Health Services, said top county
health officials were not notified about the positive
test result by the Vector Control District before the
news became public.
Wanglin said county health officials would investigate
further today to learn more about the department's
findings.
                   * * *
Miller is a Times staff writer and Vitucci is a
correspondent.

[Note: link not available as of 28 November 1998] 
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