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Americans Diagnosed With Lyme Disease: Number May Be 10 Times More Than Reported
The blacklegged ticks, I. pacificus, (depicted here), and I. scapularis, are known vectors for the zoonotic spirochetal bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is the pathogen responsible for causing Lyme disease. (Credit: CDC / James Gathany; William Nicholson)Aug. 19, 2013 — Preliminary estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the number of Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease each year is around 300,000.
The preliminary estimates were presented Sunday night in Boston at the 2013 International Conference on Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases.
This early estimate is based on findings from three ongoing CDC studies that use different methods, but all aim to define the approximate number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. The first project analyzes medical claims information for approximately 22 million insured people annually for six years, the second project is based on a survey of clinical laboratories and the third project analyzes self-reported Lyme disease cases from a survey of the general public.
Each year, more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to CDC, making it the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the United States. The new estimate suggests that the total number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease is roughly 10 times higher than the yearly reported number. This new estimate supports studies published in the 1990s indicating that the true number of cases is between 3- and 12-fold higher than the number of reported cases.
"We know that routine surveillance only gives us part of the picture, and that the true number of illnesses is much greater," said Paul Mead, M.D., M.P.H, chief of epidemiology and surveillance for CDC's Lyme disease program. "This new preliminary estimate confirms that Lyme disease is a tremendous public health problem in the United States, and clearly highlights the urgent need for prevention."
CDC continues to analyze the data in the three studies to refine the estimates and better understand the overall burden of Lyme disease in the United States and will publish finalized estimates when the studies are complete. Efforts are also underway at CDC and by other researchers to identify novel methods to kill ticks and prevent illness in people.
"We know people can prevent tick bites through steps like using repellents and tick checks. Although these measures are effective, they aren't fail-proof and people don't always use them," said Lyle R. Petersen, M.D., M.P.H, director of CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. "We need to move to a broader approach to tick reduction, involving entire communities, to combat this public health problem."
This community approach would involve homeowners trying to kill ticks in their own yards, and communities addressing a variety of issues. These issues include rodents that carry the Lyme disease bacteria, deer that play a key role in the ticks' lifecycle, suburban planning, and the interaction between deer, rodents, ticks, and humans. All must be addressed to effectively fight Lyme disease.
Most Lyme disease cases reported to CDC through national surveillance are concentrated heavily in the Northeast and upper Midwest, with 96 percent of cases in 13 states. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
CDC recommends people take steps to help prevent Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases:
Wear repellent Check for ticks daily Shower soon after being outdoors Call your doctor if you get a fever or rash For more information on Lyme disease, visit www.cdc.gov/lyme.
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The above story is based on materials provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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MLA U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013, August 19). Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease: Number may be 10 times more than reported. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 22, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2013/08/130819182855.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News%29 Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
[ 08-22-2013, 01:53 AM: Message edited by: Al ]
Posts: 789 | From CT, | Registered: Jun 2006
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poppy
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This information has been known for years, so a sudden blast by the CDC, picked up by media all over the country, is suspected to be related to new vaccine in the works. This has been discussed on other threads. Amazing how it is being taken for new understanding of lyme frequency. Guess none of the media has any memory of it, all new people everytime a story regarding lyme appears.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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It does seem odd that no research or new testing has come forward to verify how many are infected; They just appeared out of nowhere !
I should have picked up on this but I'm not able to go on the forums much .
Is this just another corrupt move to sell ? I can't believe how evil things have gotten in this world.
Posts: 789 | From CT, | Registered: Jun 2006
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
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Some lymed people thought this was an about face by CDC, hopeful they were now going to be more helpful. Alas, just a sign of an impending roll out of the new Baxter vaccine. And wouldn't it be nice if there really was going to be a safe and effective vaccine. Too late for me, but my family could be protected. But this vaccine is still OSP A type, won't stop coinfections, and questionable in an immune suppressing antigen shifting pathogenic bacterium. Boo hoo. So disappointing all around.
Sorry you aren't able to visit here often. Hope it is not because of your health. Maybe you are doing well and busy with other things! Take care of yourself.
[ 08-23-2013, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: poppy ]
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