Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of blacklegged or deer ticks – Ixodes Scapulari. In most instances, the tick must be attached to the body for 36-48 hours before the bacteria causing Lyme Disease is transmitted to the person or pet.

The CDC estimates that there are about 300,000 cases of Lyme Disease per year, over 96% of which are concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwest of the United States. Most cases of Lyme Disease occur between May and October.

High incidence areas of tick borne Lyme disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi, denoted on continental United States Map.

Cases of Lyme disease reported in 2015. 1 dot placed randomly within county of residence for each confirmed case. Image courtesy of the CDC.