Lyme disease has become one of the most prevalent insect-borne infections in the United States, surpassing other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, fleas and ticks, such as West Nile virus, in the number of cases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 62,000 confirmed cases of Lyme were reported in 2022, although it is believed that the actual number of infected people could be much higher.
CDC estimates indicate that due to underreporting and lack of adequate reporting, the total number of infections could be up to seven times higher, placing the number of annual cases at around 400,000.
The steady rise in Lyme cases since official tracking began in 1991 has raised concerns among health authorities. Part of this increase can be explained by greater public awareness and better surveillance systems, but the impact of climate change on this trend cannot be ignored.
Warmer temperatures have expanded the geographic area in which blacklegged ticks, or deer ticks, can thrive, allowing these carriers of the pathogen responsible for Lyme disease to spread to new regions of the country.
The disease is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, and its initial symptoms include a red circular rash that appears at the site of the bite three to thirty days after contact.
Often described as a target-shaped rash, this symptom is key to identifying the infection early and seeking treatment. If the disease is diagnosed and treated promptly, usually with antibiotics, the symptoms can disappear completely.
However, in cases where immediate treatment is not received, the infection can progress and become chronic, leading to serious complications such as arthritis, persistent fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. These long-term effects, known as chronic Lyme disease syndrome, can significantly affect patients’ quality of life.
The northeastern United States remains the region most affected by Lyme disease, but its presence has been expanding as deer ticks have colonized other areas. A clear example of this phenomenon is Vermont, which in 2022 had one of the highest rates of cases per capita, with almost 200 infections per 100,000 people.
This figure contrasts significantly with statistics from 1996, when the state reported only one case per 100,000 people. This drastic increase is not unique to Vermont; Several states in the Northeast and Midwest have seen notable increases in Lyme cases in recent years.
Ticks remain a serious problem for general public health because, in addition to Lyme disease, they can transmit other dangerous infections. During the summer of 2023, the Midwestern United States saw an unprecedented increase in emergency room visits related to tick bites, underscoring the importance of preventive precautions in areas where these insects are present.
The CDC has issued a series of recommendations to help people protect themselves from tick bites. Top suggestions include wearing protective clothing, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts, when visiting areas where ticks are common, such as forests and meadows with tall grass.
In addition, it is advisable to tuck your pants into your socks to create a physical barrier that makes it difficult for ticks to access your skin. It is also essential to perform thorough body inspections after spending time outdoors, paying special attention to areas of the body where ticks often hide, such as the armpits, behind the ears, and on the scalp.
Although Lyme cases are more common in warm seasons, such as spring, summer, and fall, ticks can be active any time of year when temperatures rise above freezing. Therefore, precautions must remain in place year-round, especially in areas known to be hotbeds of tick activity.
Keep reading:
Covid worsened depression among young people in Southern California
Ultra-processed foods silently alter metabolism
Louisiana requires abortion drugs to be locked away