An estimated 476,000 new cases of Lyme disease are reported each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And with rising temperatures allowing the tick population to expand into new regions, the CDC expects cases to grow as more people come in contact with ticks and their illness-causing bacteria.
With a single bite, the blacklegged tick and western blacklegged tick can spread Lyme disease, resulting in a wide range of other health problems. Most Lyme disease cases have been reported in the upper Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.
Not all ticks carry the Lyme disease bacteria. Depending on where you live, fewer than 1% of a region's ticks may carry the bacteria. In others, as many as half of the ticks are infected, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain and skin rash. These symptoms can be mild or progress to severe infections that require hospitalization. The symptoms may differ from person to person and the stage of infection.
Symptoms typically start between three to 30 days after being bitten by an infected tick.
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Is Lyme disease curable?
Yes. Although some cases can take longer to recover. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. In the majority of cases, the earlier the diagnosis begins, the quicker and more effective the recovery will be. Taken by pill, treatments can last up to two to four weeks, according to CDC, with some lasting up to six months, depending on the patient's symptoms.
Some patients develop persistent long-term symptoms, also known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Researchers have found these symptoms are not related to the chronic sickness produced by the borrelia bacteria, so continued use of antibiotics doesn't reduce these symptoms.
How do you contract Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by the bite of a blacklegged tick and the western blacklegged tick – which carry the bacterial species Borrelia burgdorferi.
Regions where Lyme disease-carrying ticks are found
Many tick species bite and spread viruses and diseases to humans around the world. In the U.S., here's where the western blacklegged tick and blacklegged tick can be found:
How many Lyme disease cases are there each year?
In recent years, the CDC has received reports of 20,000 to 30,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease annually. In 2017, Lyme disease cases soared to 42,743 reported cases. In 2021, there were 24,611 reports.
States with the most Lyme disease cases
How to prevent tick bites
If heading outside, take precautions if you expect to be where ticks live, such as in a park, camping, or in your backyard. Ticks are year-round pests but are most active during warmer months – from April to September.
Before you go outside
Found a tick? Don't panic.
If you are returning indoors after outside activities, it's a good idea to check your clothes and body for ticks. Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed. For a disease to be transmitted, a tick must remain connected to its host for about 24 to 36 hours. By removing the tick promptly, you can reduce the chance of becoming infected. Here are some tips on how to deal with a tick:
Contributing: Naledi Ushe/USA TODAY