I received a response from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services in reference to the letter posted to a previous update:
PETITION UPDATE (May 17, 2019)
“Let's Talk Ticks” at Litchfield’s Public Library
https://www.change.org/p/the-us-senate-calling-for-a-congressional-investigation-of-the-cdc-idsa-and-aldf/u/24570781
This was yesterday’s note that prompted the response from the NH Department of HHS.
On May 28, 2019 Carl Tuttle wrote:
To the Representatives and Senators carbon copied on this email,
For the record there has been no response from the NH Department of Health and Human services regarding my inquiry below. So we go year after year, decade after decade allowing this public health crisis/disaster to continue.
Just remember you or a loved one could be the next victim (if you haven’t already been bit unknowingly advancing to late stage).
-Carl Tuttle
Response from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services including my two comments:
--------- Original Message ----------
From: CARL TUTTLE <runagain@comcast.net>
To: abigail.mathewson@dhhs.nh.gov, NHBIDC@dhhs.nh.gov
Cc: Howard.Moffett@leg.state.nh.us, amknh78@gmail.com, Tom.Sherman@leg.state.nh.us, Martha.FullerClark@leg.state.nh.us, Jeb.Bradley@leg.state.nh.us, James.Gray@leg.state.nh.us, Shannon.Chandley@leg.state.nh.us, Doug.Marino@leg.state.nh.us, kathie@kathiefife.com, Polly.Campion@leg.state.nh.us, jc.salloway@unh.edu, wmarshmd@gmail.com, nhbidc@dhhs.nh.gov, saunderson.george@gmail.com, electdavidkarrick@gmail.com, cmcmahon55@gmail.com, james.potter@nhms.org, michael.padmore@nhms.org, jeffrey.meyers@dhhs.nh.gov, cutler_library@comcast.net, brett.giroir@hhs.gov, tickbornedisease@hhs.gov, hhsea@leg.state.nh.us, knorton@naminh.org, Harold.French@leg.state.nh.us, danfeltes@gmail.com, senator@collins.senate.gov, jeff_lomonaco@smith.senate.gov
Date: May 28, 2019 at 3:22 PM
Subject: Re: “Let's Talk Ticks” at Litchfield’s Public Library
Please be advised that I received the following reply from Elizabeth R. Daly, MPH Chief, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control NH Department of Health. There is no information in her email considered privileged, confidential or prohibited from unauthorized disclosure under applicable law. I have provided my comments following Beth’s email below:
Email from Beth Daly:
--------- Original Message ----------
From: DHHS: NHBIDC
To: Carl Tuttle <runagain@comcast.net>
Date: May 28, 2019 at 1:53 PM
Subject: Re: “Let's Talk Ticks” at Litchfield’s Public Library
Hello Mr. Tuttle –
Dr. Mathewson has limited availability but I can respond to your inquiry below. I have had the opportunity to correspond with you a number of times over the years and am familiar with your specific concerns.
Having read through your email, it looks like your specific inquiry is, “why isn’t the New Hampshire Department of Health surveilling the disabled Lyme population and reporting back to the CDC as these numbers continue to grow?” Lyme disease is a reportable disease in New Hampshire and all healthcare providers and laboratories are required to report suspected Lyme disease illnesses to NH DHHS. We in turn report these illnesses to CDC. We use standardized surveillance methodology so that data are comparable across the nation, which means that we rely on healthcare provider diagnosis, not individual self-report.
You also asked, “Why is Lyme disease still considered a low-risk and non-urgent health threat?” I am not sure if that question is directed at NH DHHS, but I can tell you we certainly do not think that Lyme disease or other tickborne diseases are low risk to residents or visitors to New Hampshire. Our own studies demonstrate at least 60% of blacklegged ticks carryBorrelia burgdorferi.We have an average of around 3,000 people with suspected Lyme disease each year reported to NH DHHS, and as you point out, CDC estimates this number is much greater than just those that get brought to medical attention and reported to health departments. We issue health alerts to healthcare providers and to the public each spring with tickborne disease reminders. Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases are absolutely important diseases that people in New Hampshire need to be aware of and actively take measures to prevent.
I see you have included Commissioner Meyers on your original email so you may consider your inquiry escalated to the commissioner. If you would like to follow up with his office, the contact information is available here: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/ocom/index.htm
Beth
Elizabeth R. Daly, MPH
Chief, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control
NH Department of Health and Human Services
29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301-6504
Phone: 603-271-4927
Fax: 603-271-0545
We protect, promote and improve the health and well-being of ALL people in New Hampshire through leadership, expertise, and partnership.
Follow us on Twitter @NHIDWatch
"Like" us on Facebook @NH Bureau of Infectious Disease Control
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and prohibited from unauthorized disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
_________________________
Comments from Carl Tuttle:
On May 28, 2019 Beth Daly wrote: “Lyme disease is a reportable disease in New Hampshire and all healthcare providers and laboratories are required to report suspected Lyme disease illnesses to NH DHHS.”
Let me remind you Beth that what you are reporting to the CDC is only the patient who hit the lottery and met the CDC case definition for positive test results. All family members of the Tuttle household advanced to late stage and all had negative laboratory tests for Lyme disease. My daughter and I were horribly disabled (I never recovered)….. did you report our cases to the CDC?... Thousands just like us out there Beth.
On May 28, 2019 Beth Daly wrote: "You also asked, “Why is Lyme disease still considered a low-risk and non-urgent health threat?” I am not sure if that question is directed at NH DHHS, but I can tell you we certainly do not think that Lyme disease or other tickborne diseases are low risk to residents or visitors to New Hampshire."
So where are the Public Service Announcements stating that you can become horribly disabled or die from Lyme disease? You are welcome to purchase and distribute the bumper stickers that I have created on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/123659578861
As long as the NH Department of Health and CDC believe the current system is just fine we will have another decade of unimaginable pain and suffering.
The mishandling of Lyme disease is an absolute disgrace!
Carl Tuttle
Lyme Endemic Hudson, NH