Rate of Lyme disease per 100,000 Vermonters
Current Value
97.9
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
Last Updated: January 2020
Author: Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program, Vermont Department of Health
Lyme disease is caused by an infection with a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is transmitted to humans through the bite of ainfected blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis. The early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and often a rash. If the disease is not treated in a timely manner it can go on to cause arthritis, facial palsy, or inflammation of the heart or brain.
Overall, the rate of Lyme disease in Vermont has been increasing in recent years. This may be due to a number of factors including changes in the blacklegged tick population or their habitats, environmental factors, improved public and health care provider awareness, and increased testing for the disease.
Why Is This Important?
The incidence of Lyme disease is an important indicator because it allows us to monitor the burden of disease over time and space. Measuring Lyme disease using an incidence rate allows us to control for changes in the population of Vermont. It also allows us to compare the disease burden in Vermont with other states.
Partners
- Clinical and commercial laboratories
- Health care providers
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
- Academic institutions
- Community groups
What Works
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. Visit the Health Department’s "Be Tick Smart” webpage to learn tick bite prevention strategies, how to check yourself for and remove ticks, and what to do after a tick bite.
Strategy
The Health Department is focused on providing scientifically accurate information to Vermonters about Lyme disease. Our strategy involves conducting surveillance for the disease in humans, conducting surveillance for the pathogen in ticks, and educating Vermonters about best prevention strategies.
Notes on Methodology
The incidence of Lyme disease was calculated by dividing the number of confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease reported to the Health Department each year by Vermont’s population estimate for that same year. That number was then multiplied by 100,000. Not all cases of Lyme disease are reported to the Health Department.