The Centers for Disease control and Prevention estimates that there are more than 300,000 new cases of tick-borne diseases in the U.S. every year. The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) will host a lecture given by Dr. Tim Lepore on September 5 from 7 to 8 pm at 33 Washington Street. Lepore’s talk “Review of Common and Not So Common Tick-Borne Diseases on Nantucket” will address the symptoms of tick-borne diseases, including the less common ones, preventative measures to ward off these diseases and to keep ticks at bay , and treatments of tick-borne diseases. These diseases include Lyme Disease, Babesia, Anaplasmosis, and Borrelia Miyamotoi. It is possible to be infected with more than one of these at a time. The event is free for MMA members and $10 for non-members.
Dr. Lepore has been treating members of the Nantucket community for the past thirty-five years and is currently a resident doctor and surgeon at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. He is an advocate for the awareness of tick-borne diseases on Nantucket, which is especially important in a community that has one of the highest incidence rates in the country. Dr. Lepore is considered to be one of the leading tickborne disease experts in the country and has had articles published alongside researchers from Harvard Public School of Health, Tufts University School of Medicine, and the Yale School of Public Health.
The Maria Mitchell Association has hosted more than a dozen speakers this season as part of our summer Science Speaker Series. The talks have featured astronomers, authors, environmentalists, biologists, professors, and doctors.
A private non-profit organization founded in 1902, The Maria Mitchell Association works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a newly opened research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. This year celebrates Mitchell’s 200th birthday with special lectures, events, classes, and exhibits all year-long, culminating in the Maria Mitchell Women in Science Symposium in October 2018 in Boston.