Press Release
CDC Reports High Lyme Disease Rates in 10 States
Number of the most common vector-borne disease doubles in 15 years
Reported cases of Lyme disease have more than doubled since 1991, when
Lyme became a nationally notifiable disease, according to a report by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report also
said 93 percent of reported cases were concentrated in 10 states.
"This increase in cases is most likely the result of both a true
increase in the frequency of the disease as well as better recognition
and reporting due to enhanced detection of cases," said Dr. Paul Mead, a
medical epidemiologist with the CDC Division of Vector-Borne Infectious
Diseases.
Lyme disease is the most common of all the diseases in the United States
transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, with approximately 20,000
cases reported each year. It most commonly occurs in the Northeastern,
Mid-Atlantic, and North-Central states. Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island and Wisconsin had the most cases. The report says that during
2003-2005, a total of 64,382 Lyme disease cases were reported to CDC
from 46 states and the District of Columbia.
In 1991 fewer than 10,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported.
Most illnesses occurred in June, July and August, when the infected
ticks that carry the disease are most active. Lyme disease is caused by
the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted to humans by
tick bite.
From 2003-2005, the incidence of Lyme disease in the cases reported
higher rates among two age groups-children aged 5 to 14 years (10 cases
per 100,000 population per year) and adults aged 55 to 64 years (9.9
cases per 100,000 population per year).
Early symptoms of infection include fever, headache, fatigue, and a
characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. Left untreated,
infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
People should watch for symptoms especially in these areas with intense
Lyme disease transmission, and see a health care provider if these
develop. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent serious
illness and long-term complications.
"While this increase is of concern, these rates highlight the need to
focus on prevention of this disease. People living in areas where Lyme
disease is most frequently reported can take proactive steps to reduce
their risk of infection," Dr. Mead said.
Prevention steps include daily tick checks (self examination for ticks),
use of repellent containing 20 percent or more DEET, selective use of
insecticides that target ticks, and the avoidance of tick-infested
areas. Removing ticks within 24 hours of attachment greatly reduces the
likelihood of disease transmission. Tick populations around homes and in
recreational areas can be reduced 50 to 90 percent through simple
landscaping practices such as removing brush and leaf litter, and
creating a buffer zone of wood chips or gravel between forest and lawn
or recreational areas.
The full report, "Lyme Disease - United States, 2003-2005," appears in
this week′s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (June 14, 2007) and is
available online at
www.cdc.gov/mmwr.
Additional information about Lyme disease can be found on the CDC
website at
www.cdc.gov/lyme, and about
other tick-borne diseases at
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Content Source: Office of Enterprise
Communication
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