Tickborne diseases are a serious health concern in Vermont. Reports of tickborne diseases are on the rise, and while Lyme disease remains the most common tickborne disease in Vermont, other diseases like anaplasmosis and babesiosis are becoming more common. Vermont health professionals are essential partners in tickborne disease prevention efforts.

Lyme Disease: Clinician Training Tools (CDC)

Lyme Disease Prophylaxis After Tick Bite

This video and printable poster provide information for health care providers on post-exposure prophylaxis after a tick bite, including questions to consider for determining whether a patient with a tick bite might benefit from post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease.

Download or print the poster

    Pretest Probability and Serologic Testing for Lyme Disease

    Pretest probability is the likelihood of disease before diagnostic test results are known, which can determine when Lyme disease testing would be most helpful. CDC recommends a two-step process using FDA-cleared serologic tests for Lyme disease. Both steps are required and can be done using the same blood sample. 

    Download or print the poster (CDC)
     

    Lyme Disease: Training Modules and Free Continuing Education (CDC)

    This four-part series will aid front-line healthcare providers with recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease, the most common tickborne illness in Vermont. The free online curriculum serves as a valuable resource for primary care clinicians, public health professionals, pharmacists, and health educators who encounter patients with Lyme disease. Free Continuing Education credits are available. To register, please go to CDC Train.

    Module 1: Introduction to Tickborne Diseases and Disease Prevention (WB4328)

    • Lyme disease transmission

    • Lyme disease geographic distribution

    • Care of a patient presenting with a tick bite

    • Appropriate use of post-exposure prophylaxis for Lyme disease following tick bite

    • Patient education about tick bite prevention

    Module 2: Lyme Disease Clinical Overview (WB4329)

    • Early localized and disseminated manifestations

    • Differentiating erythema migrans from other similar skin conditions

    • Recognizing clinical presentations that might suggest tickborne disease co-infections

    Module 3: Lyme Disease Testing and Diagnosis (WB4330)

    • How to select validated tests

    • Why there is currently no “test of cure”

    • How pretest probability and disease stage inform whether to test for Lyme disease

    • The significance of the seroconversion window period

    • Why testing for Lyme disease may not be clinically helpful for patients with erythema migrans

    Module 4: Lyme Disease Treatment and Management (WB4380)

    • Treatment options for erythema migrans

    • Clinical management of Lyme carditis

    • Clinical management of Lyme arthritis

    • Clinical management of neurologic Lyme disease

    • Care of patients with persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease

     

    Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis: Free Continuing Education (CDC)

    Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are emerging tickborne diseases. Signs and symptoms of these diseases can be difficult to differentiate from other disease, but early recognition and treatment are key to prevent severe and fatal outcomes.

    CDC released a training module on the diagnosis and treatment of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis with opportunities for continuing education in seven professional categories (CME, CNE, CPE, CEU, CECH, AAVSB/RACE and CPH), which provides credit for physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, veterinarians, nurses, epidemiologists, public health professionals, educators, and health communicators. The module includes knowledge checks and a case-based scenario to help providers apply what they have learned. Key learning points covered in the module include: 

    • Distribution of and epidemiology of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis in the United States

    • Key clinical findings of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis

    • Treatment recommendations

    • Evaluation of testing options

    • Disease prevention

    Tickborne Disease Reporting

    Health professionals in Vermont are required to report all cases of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Borrelia miyamotoi disease to the Health Department. 

    How to report an infectious disease

    Help Patients Prevent Tickborne Diseases

    The best way to prevent tickborne diseases is to prevent tick bites. The Health Department offers information and free professionally-printed resources that providers can share with patients so they can take simple steps to prevent tick bites. Health professionals can also order free printed copies of Tickborne Diseases of the United States: A Reference Manual for Healthcare Providers (CDC). 

    Order free materials