Rockford University Find Lyme Disease in two Rodents

Researchers from Rockford University have found Lyme disease in two rodents that weren't know to carry the disease.

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Signs of infection is an area of redness at the site of a tick bite. Other symptoms may include fever, headache. People that struggle with Lyme disease go through a lot of uncomfortable symptoms.

If Lyme disease is  untreated, symptoms may include:

• Loss of the ability to move sides of the face
• Joint pain
• Severe headaches with neck stiffness
• Heart palpitations

According to JS at the Distillery Road Conservation Area in Boone County, Rockford University found Lyme disease in several animals that aren't know to have the disease. Normally Lyme disease can be found in white-footed deer mouse deer ticks. At this location in Boone County, Lyme disease was found in:

• Voles
• Prairie voles
• Meadow jumping mice
• Striped gophers

I have friends that suffer from Lyme disease and it a struggle. If you are out for a walk in a wooded area, make sure to check yourself and your pet when you return for any type of tick bite. Lyme disease is estimated to affect 300,000 people a year in the United States.