Cases of Lyme disease on the rise

By News Staff

Reporting by Liz Tufts

ltufts@abc6.com

Cases of Lyme disease are on the rise in southern New England—especially in Rhode Island.

One family knows all too well just how dangerous Lyme disease can be.

“When they said that he may possibly need a pacemaker, it's a scary thing,” said Debi D’Iorio, who has her phone in her hand at all times waiting to see how her 29-year-old son David is doing.

David has been at the hospital since July 2nd after passing out at work.

“Little symptoms like headaches, backaches, neck aches, and just not feeling himself…” she explained.

It turns out the Cranston father of three has Lyme disease. He’s a landscaper and was bitten sometime in the last 30 days.

“He wore long sleeves, used Deet,” says Debi. But David’s case is severe, “He has a rare symptom and it attacks the heart it short circuits it.”

Health officials say the growing deer population in southern New England is causing Lyme disease cases to increase across the area. Last year, more than 900 people were diagnosed with it in Rhode Island.

Right now officials are trying to come up with an idea to contain the deer population. Though, they say medicine has come a long way and more cases are being diagnosed before it’s too late.

Debi hopes that more people are aware of their surroundings this summer, “Reading more about it, and trying to prevent it, because it can happen to anyone at anytime.”

At last check, we were told David’s heart has stopped several times. Doctors are continuing to pump him with antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria.

© WLNE-TV 2015