Lyme Disease

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Lyme Disease Awareness Month
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About Lyme Disease

Two bacteria cause Lyme disease in North America. They are called Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii. These bacteria spread to a person through the bite of an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Cases of Lyme disease increase in Maine every year as the deer tick spreads throughout the state.

Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics. The best way to prevent Lyme disease is by preventing tick bites.

History of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease gets its name from a small coastal town in Connecticut called Lyme. In 1975, a woman pointed out an unusual cluster of more than 51 cases of pediatric arthritis to Yale researchers. In 1977, Dr. Allen Steere and Yale colleagues named the 51 clusters “Lyme arthritis." In 1979, Steere and colleague Dr. Steven Malawista changed the name to "Lyme disease" when they discovered more symptoms. These symptoms included possible neurological problems and severe fatigue. In 1982 Dr. Willy Burgdorfer discovered the cause of the disease. One of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease is named after Dr. Burgdorfer.

Symptoms

Early signs and symptoms

Early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease begin 3 to 30 days after the bite of an infected tick. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Bull's-eye rash

    Rash (usually a "Bull's-eye" rash)

  • Fever and chills

    Fever and chills

  • Fatigue

    Fatigue (feeling very tired)

  • Muscle or joint pain

    Muscle or joint soreness

Notes about the bull's-eye rash:

  • The appearance of the bull's-eye rash can vary widely. See example photos of rashes.
  • The bull's-eye rash occurs in about 70-80% of patients in the United States.
  • A small bump or redness at the site of a tick bite that occurs immediately and resembles a mosquito bite is common. This is not the bull's-eye rash. This irritation generally goes away in 1-2 days and is not a sign of Lyme disease.

Later signs and symptoms

If not treated, more severe signs and symptoms can develop. Lyme disease is rarely fatal. These can appear weeks, months, or years after a bite from an infected tick and may include:

  • Arthritis

    Arthritis

  • Neurologic problems

    Neurologic, memory, and concentration problems

  • Heart problems

    Heart problems

See a healthcare provider if you become ill after a tick bite or spending time in areas where ticks commonly live. Be sure to mention a recent tick bite or time spent in tick habitat to your healthcare provider.

Prevention

Prevent Tick Bites

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites in the first place. Take these simple steps every day to prevent tick bites:

  • long pants

    Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and pants. Tuck your pants into your socks.

  • bug spray

    Use an EPA-approved bug spray.

  • trail

    Stay in the middle of trails.

  • tick check

    Do daily tick checks and check your pets for ticks.

Protect Your Yard From Ticks

You can make your yard a tick-safe zone:

  1. Keep the lawn mowed.
  2. Keep leaves raked and get rid of leaf piles.
  3. Move wood piles away from the house. Mice like to live here and can bring ticks with them.
  4. Move birdfeeders away from the house, gardens, and yard toys. Deer and mice like birdfeeders and can bring ticks into the yard.
  5. Use crushed stone or woodchips to make a tick-safe barrier around your yard. This should be 3-feet wide to separate the yard from the woods and keep ticks from crossing into the yard.
tick property maintenance

To learn more about tick bite prevention and how to keep ticks out of your yard, visit Tick Frequently Asked Questions.

Resources for Educators

Maine CDC developed vectorborne school curricula for 3rd-8th grade classrooms. The curriculum is aligned with Maine Learning Results. School nurses, teachers, and other youth leaders are encouraged to use this resource in their classrooms.

Reports and Publications

Lyme Disease Surveillance Reports

Maine CDC publishes yearly data on Lyme disease cases and rates in Maine in yearly Lyme Disease Surveillance reports.

Tickborne Disease Data on the Maine Tracking Network

The Maine Tracking Network uses data from case reports, surveys, and tick submissions to help understand the spread of tickborne diseases in Maine. The dashboard includes real-time data, maps, charts, and graphs for anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Lyme disease.

Report to the Maine Legislature on Lyme and Other Tickborne Illnesses

In 2008, the 123rd Legislature passed a new law that directed Maine CDC to submit an annual report about tickborne diseases to the Legislature. See this law below. Each year, Maine CDC submits this annual report to the joint standing committees on health and human services matters and health insurance matters. This report includes recommendations for legislation to address public health programs for the prevention and treatment tickborne illnesses in Maine. It also reviews and evaluates Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses in Maine.

Maine Legislation on Lyme Disease and Other Tickborne Illnesses

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