Let’s Work With What We Know

To the Editor:

To watch a loved one suffering from the debilitating effects of Lyme disease can be devastating; to imagine deer being lured to be shot is grievous. Understandably, emotions run high on both sides of the argument regarding deer culls. In such a situation, lest louder voices prevail over truth, simply because of their volume, it is critical that we approach the issue of tick-borne diseases in a rational, scientific manner.

Evidently, as a result of changed methods of reporting, there is currently no accurate count of Lyme cases in Newtown. If we have no baseline of Lyme cases to start with in the first place, and probably no means of conducting an accurate count after an “intervention,” then we are in no position to measure the efficacy of a course of action such as a deer cull. When, in addition, well-informed experts are unable to state that a reduction in deer results in a decrease in Lyme cases, the rationale behind a deer cull becomes hazy to say the least. A member of Darien’s Deer Management Committee, Ken Haydock, noted that, despite years of deer culling, “we don’t have a fix on the disease cases”; state entomologist Kirby Stafford said that the relationship between a deer cull and Lyme disease is “not a direct equation”; and White Buffalo’s Dr DeNicola, whom one could argue has a vested interest promoting a cull, observed that “You can reduce the volume of ticks by reducing the deer, but I don’t know about the decrease in Lyme.” If you will forgive an analogy, would we buy a car if the salesman said, “This car doesn’t work now, but for a price, I’ll kick the tires, and that may or may not help.”

Let us work with what we know. We do know that thoroughly checking ourselves for ticks does help prevent Lyme disease. We also know that people learn and can be educated, so that if there are residents of Newtown who do not know how to check for ticks or do not understand the importance of this action, they can be taught. Surely this is the reasonable place to begin tackling tick-borne disease. It is within our control, inexpensive, and effective. And it makes sense.

Sincerely,

Nancy Maxwell

8 Middleton Road, Newtown                                     January 27, 2010