LYME DISEASE PROGRAM ON TAP

JACKSON - "Lyme Disease: What Makes It Tick?" is the subject of a free seminar this Thursday at the St. Francis Information Center in Jackson.

The program will begin at 7 p.m.

Gail Schumer will be the guest speaker. Schumer is a licensed practical nurse who serves as the Lyme disease coordinator for Cape Girardeau physician Charles L. Crist.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne, arthritic-type disorder that was first documented a number of years ago in the New England area. It is a growing concern in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and other regions of the Midwest, reported St. Francis Medical Center. The hospital said a number of positive cases have been reported in the area since the late 1980s.

Schumer's presentation will touch on how Lyme disease is transmitted, as well as symptoms of the disease. It will also cover how the disease is treated and precautions people should take to avoid getting it.

Although the program is free, space is limited and preregistration is requested.

To register or for more information, call the St. Francis Information Center at Jackson, 243-5222, between noon and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The center is at 2122 Highway 61 East across from the Jackson Wal-Mart in Heartland Plaza.