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LEHI -- Several people in Lehi have contracted Lyme disease through tick bites. The Utah State Health Department along with Utah County and the Division of Wildlife Resources have formed a task force to figure out the problem.
It's been a little over week since spring began -- certainly not peak season for ticks, but these cases seem to be popping up. Oddly enough, it's only happening in the city of Lehi.
Most of us never think twice about playing in our own backyards, but the Lyme disease outbreak means Rachelle Fleming has to.
"You shouldn't have to worry about ticks, first of all; and then in addition to that, worry about ticks that are transmitting terrible diseases," Fleming says.
Last fall, Fleming was diagnosed with Lyme disease after getting bitten by a tick somewhere in her neighborhood.
"I was pretty certain that I was OK, but within a week I started getting chills," Flemming says.
She had the flu-like symptoms that come with Lyme disease, so she went to the doctor. Sure enough, the test for Lyme disease came back positive.
Fleming has been on antibiotics for months and is feeling better. She says she's lucky she discovered it so early on. If you don't treat it right away, the disease could spread to your joints, heart and nervous system.
The Utah County Health Department has not confirmed the diagnosis, but because of the high number of cases, workers there are determined to start a task force.
"We are concerned," says health department spokesman Lance Madigan. "Something's obviously going on."
Utah County health officials say they've seen seven to 12 recent cases in the Lehi area. Last year, all of Utah had one confirmed case and three suspected cases -- and those people had most likely picked it up while traveling.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black-legged ticks carry Lyme disease. They're more common in the Midwest and Northeast, so how did they get to Utah? The theories are already churning.
"From mink farms to new developments, digging up the soil and turning up things; but it's a little too early to tell," Madigan says.
For Fleming, answers would be better sooner rather than later.
"It makes me wonder what's going on here? Why here?" she says.
She says the problem is especially concerning with so many children making their way outdoors.
Because health officials have not confirmed Utah ticks are causing Lyme disease, wildlife officials are planning to find the ticks and test them to be sure.
As for those who have been infected, the Utah County Health Department is going to retest them for the illness.
For information on Lyme disease prevention, symptoms and diagnosis [CLICK HERE].
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
