New Estimates of People Diagnosed/Treated for Lyme: 476,000 Annually

January 13, 2021

The CDC published, in the February edition of its “Emerging Infectious Diseases,” two new papers pertaining to Lyme disease case numbers. CDC indicates that the researchers found ~ 476,000 people are diagnosed with and treated for Lyme disease each year in the U.S. This is a 59% increase from their previous estimate of ~300,000. Also, CDC posted a new page to its website, Syndromic Surveillance of Emergency Department Visits for Tick Bites, showing tick bites by time, age/sex, and region.

Pike County Ticks Exceed PA State Average for Carrying Tick-Borne Diseases

October 31, 2020

The results of a study to collect ticks from Pike County, Pennsylvania, conducted by the Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory of East Stroudsburg University included real time PCR analysis of ticks countywide. The county was divided into 9 grids, each with several collection sites. The sites were based on use by community members and presence of […]

CDC Nat’l Framework: Strategy for Vector-Borne Diseases Prevention & Control

September 24, 2020

National Public Health Framework for the Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in Humans (CDC.gov)

First announced at the HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group’s (TBDWG) September 22 meeting, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in a Capitol Hill Announcement, presented plans to join with five federal departments and the Environmental Protection Agency in developing the National Public Health Framework for the Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in Humans (Framework). […]

CDC Report on FY2018 TBD Funding

February 19, 2020

The CDC released a report on FY 2018 tick-borne disease funding, which was requested by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The report includes an overview of the request from the Senate Appropriations Committee. It also provides an update on CDC’s work with states and progress in that area. This section includes information on Ticknet, a public health […]

CDC Focus on Maternal-Fetal Transmission of Lyme Disease

February 3, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its website to include information regarding maternal-fetal transmission of Lyme disease. According to the CDC, “Untreated Lyme disease during pregnancy can lead to infection of the placenta. Spread from mother to fetus is possible but rare. Fortunately, with appropriate antibiotic treatment, there is no increased risk of adverse birth outcomes.”

CDC Recommends New Lyme Disease Tests Cleared by FDA

August 28, 2019

The CDC formally recommends several new serologic assay testing methods recently cleared by the FDA. The Lyme disease serologic assays, which utilize a sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detecting pathogens, were cleared by the FDA on July 29th, 2019 and have since been determined to be acceptable alternatives for the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease […]

TBD Working Group Meeting Summary/Public Comments Now Available – June 4, 2019

July 30, 2019

The federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) held their ninth meeting in D.C. on June 4, 2019 with a focus on developing the next report to be drafted for the HHS Secretary and Congress. The report will include an update on federal tick-borne disease activities and research findings. Read Meeting Summary and Written Public Comments […]

CDC Sounds Warning About Longicornis Tick

November 30, 2018

The CDC released a series of articles and papers on the new tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Hl), also known as the Asian longhorned tick, which has already spread to 8 other states after being discovered in NJ in 2017. Read about a call to action for vector-borne disease prevention and control to include a national strategy. […]

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Announces Higher than Ever Lyme Disease Cases

November 14, 2018

In a press release by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) on the state of tick-borne diseases in the US, CDC introduced its new platform for reporting Lyme disease statistics. The release indicates that there has been an increase in all tick-borne diseases, not just Lyme disease, and that it is the highest […]

Nov. 14: HHS Tick-Borne Disease Working Group Announces Release of Report to Congress; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Announces Higher than Ever Lyme Disease Cases

November 14, 2018

Two major releases from the US Government today confirm what advocates and patients have long known – there is a growing Lyme & tick-borne diseases problem sweeping the land and Congress needs to take action to curb the spread. In a release long awaited by the Lyme community, the US Department of Health & Human […]

HHS/Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)