DEPARTMENT OF THE United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Acadia National Park IN REPLY REFER TO: P.O. Box 177 Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 September 1, 1987 N2219 (ACAD) Memorandum To: All Employees From: Environmental Protection Assistant Subject: Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease This is to follow up the research done earlier this summer by Dr. Howard Ginsberg, Rutgers University, on the deer tick in Acadia National Park. As many of you already know, the deer tick was found to be present in woodland areas near Bar Harbor. The Lyme Disease spirochete (bacteria) was subsequently isolated in 10% (2 out of 19) of the ticks sampled. No cases of Lyme Disease have been reported in people living on or visiting Mount Desert Island, but precautions to avoid contracting the disease are suggested. A brochure entitled Ticks and Lyme Disease in the National Parks is being handed out to Park staff along with this memorandum. Additional copies are available from the Resource Management office upon request. Those of you who attended the brief session given by Dr. Ginsberg earlier in the summer will be familiar with many of the tips included in this brochure. The deer tick has been found most commonly on dogs and cats. These pets should be checked regularly for the presence of ticks. Known symptoms in pets include arthritis, but of course the most serious concern is for human health. Be aware of the presence of the deer tick. The nymphal stage is the most serious threat to people because of their relative abundance and the difficulty in detecting them on the body. Early detection of the disease is the key to avoiding more severe complications later on. Any other information needs or questions you may have concerning Lyme Disease or the Deer Tick may be directed to us in the Resource Management office. We will do our best to provide you with useful information. Killiam L. Kyle Jones