High School Students Want to Know: Do all deer ticks carry Lyme disease?

Question #10

Do all deer ticks carry Lyme disease?

No, they must first feed on an animal carrying the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease such as the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus).  

When a deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) first hatches from the egg, it does not have Lyme disease causing bacteria in its system.  However, if at any point in its life cycle, it feeds on an animal carrying the bacteria, it can then potentially pass it on to humans the next time it feeds.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, in Minnesota, about 30% of adult deer ticks ticks and 20% deer tick nymphs is infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Post by C. Fisher

 

 

 

High School Students Want to Know: Where is Lyme disease most common?

 Question #9

Where is Lyme disease most common?

 According to the CDC report Surveillance for Lyme Disease — United States, 2008–2015, "The majority of Lyme disease cases occur in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest regions."

The report provides the following table of high incidence states during the surveillance period:

 

* Annual incidence rates per 100,000 population were calculated by state using U.S. Census Bureau estimates from July 1 of each year. U.S. Census Bureau Intercensal Estimates (2000–2010) were used to calculate 2008 and 2009 incidence and Vintage 2015 was used to calculate 2010–2015 incidence.

 

Read the whole report here:

Schwartz AM, Hinckley AF, Mead PS, Hook SA, Kugeler KJ. Surveillance for Lyme Disease — United States, 2008–2015. MMWR Surveill Summ 2017;66(No. SS-22):1–12. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6622a1

 

Post by C. Fisher