On Sunday the 15th April a Lyme Forum was held at the Theater in Washington. Speakers included Dr. Tom Connally, retired internist, Sam Quinn, RLEP Board Member and ecologist, and Leah Card, researcher at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, and with Rick Kohler (RLEP president) performing the opening and introductions. 

Sam provided the audience with an overview of the biology of various ticks in the Rappahannock area and identified the "Blacklegged (or commonly Deer) tick" as the culprit for Lyme. He also added some good studies on vector populations and comments on the track Loudoun County is taking which is controversial and not environmentally friendly.

Dr. Connally gave a good history and  background information on Lyme and good information on precautions, signs early treatment and current research.

Leah Card gave an interesting presentation on a study at SCBI aimed at measuring tick populations and disease incidence. This added a nice environmental science ending. 

Many thanks go to Kaye and Rick for organizing the event and Aleta for organizing Joyce Nutz from the Fauquier Chapter of the National Capital Lyme Disease Association for providing a display and hand out materials for the audience.