Ice Man had Lyme!

[MomWithOCDSon]

I just got through our latest issue of "National Geographic" and thought that this, among other pieces of the Ice Man's story, was fascinating:

 

"Perhaps most surprising, researchers found the genetic footprint of bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi in his DNA—making the Iceman the earliest known human infected by the bug that causes Lyme disease."

 

So, for skeptics out there . . . . . . . .

 

National Geographic - Ice Man Autopsy

[SSS]

Crazy, right?

I saw this story earlier, but thanks for posting it, it is interesting!

[RNmom]

Oh I thought Lyme was one of those top secret diseases that was engineered as a biological weapon......and the accidently let out......

 

The pilgrims talk about ticks and illness that included symptoms of fevers, rashes, and joint pains. So, Lyme was here before Plum Island (I am assuming you are referring to that "hot spot"). However, the pre-existence of Lyme in the New England area does not preclude the possibility that a naturally occurring population of bacteria was amplified or altered (for the worse) by an accidental outbreak.

Edited November 11, 2011 by RNmom