Lyme disease confirmed in Himachal Pradesh; 17 test positive
Lyme Disease Detected in Himachal for the First Time
Kullu: A team of Indian medical researchers has officially confirmed the presence of Lyme disease in Himachal Pradesh for the first time, raising fresh concerns about the spread of the tick-borne illness in India’s mountainous regions. The discovery follows a two-year study involving over 500 biological samples collected from seven different sites across the state.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Globally, it is a significant public health concern in the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia. In India, at least 15 states have reported cases so far, though awareness remains low.
Symptoms typically include fever, headache, chills, muscle and joint aches, and a rash at or near the bite site. Joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees, may occur, along with heart palpitations and facial palsy.
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Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics, and early intervention often leads to full recovery. Doctors advised that anyone with a tick bite should have their health closely monitored and seek immediate hospital consultation if symptoms appear.
The research was spearheaded by Dr. Sanjay Mahajan, Professor of Medicine at Tanda Medical College, Dr. Santvana Verma, Head of Microbiology at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, and Dr. Rama Chaudhary, Head of Microbiology at AIIMS, New Delhi.
With support from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a screening was conducted at IGMC, Shimla. Following this, 161 suspected samples were sent to AIIMS, New Delhi, for confirmatory testing. Of these, 17 were confirmed positive for Lyme disease.
To confirm the presence of Lyme disease, doctors employed advanced diagnostic tools, including the Western Blot test, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA.
Dr. Mahajan noted that while the medical community had long suspected Lyme disease in Himachal, its confirmation remained elusive. Speaking to TOI, Dr Mahajan said, "The presence of Lyme disease was always suspected in the state, but its presence couldn't be detected due to many reasons, including the lack of costly diagnostic tools. As the disease was not diagnosed, patients continued to suffer. This fact became our inspiration for carrying out this research."
The research team emphasized that climate change is likely to contribute significantly to the increase in Lyme disease cases in the coming years.
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The study, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is currently awaiting publication in a journal.
According to Tribune India, with Himachal now officially reporting cases, experts stress the importance of awareness among both doctors and the public. Recognising symptoms early and seeking prompt treatment could save lives and prevent the disease from silently spreading in the hill state.
