Vermont resident dies from rare complication of Lyme disease

BURLINGTON, VT — A Vermont resident has died of a rare complication of Lyme disease, according to state health leaders.

State leaders said the resident of Franklin County died of Lyme carditis, a rare condition that occurs when the bacteria that cause Lyme disease enter the tissues of the heart. It then disrupts the electrical conductivity of the heart.

This is Vermont's first reported death due to the condition, and only one percent of Lyme disease cases experience it.

“While Lyme disease is increasingly common in Vermont, Lyme carditis itself is very rare," said Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine.

Dr. Tom Mathers, a tick expert at the University of Rhode Island, echoed Levine's comments on the situation's rarity, but said carditis is one more reason to be wary of ticks.

"I think it's not very common, but it does happen," Mathers said. "It does say, look at yet another thing Lyme disease can do to you, so it makes it all the better not to be bitten by a tick."

If you're bitten by a tick, the disease is something to be aware of.

"You want to make sure you consider carditis as an overall symptom of Lyme, because it responds to antibiotics," the Vermont State Health Department said.

Not getting bitten, however, is the key, and Mathers says it's possible.

"The best and most effective tick repellent personal protection is wearing permethrin-threated clothing," Mathers said.

Another key step is to check for tickets, looking over your entire body.

"I think people should be doing daily tick checks," Mathers said.

If you end up getting bitten by a tick, Lyme disease exhibits symptoms like a common illness that's just out of season.

"If someone feels like they're having a summertime flu-like illness, they should definitely visit their health provider," Mathers said.

According to the CDC, between 1985 and 2014, there were nine deaths related to Lyme carditis reported worldwide.

Lyme carditis is treated with antibiotics, and in some cases may require a temporary pacemaker.

Cox Media Group