Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

Complete Health Indicator Report of Lyme Disease

Definition

Incidence (new cases) of Lyme disease

Numerator

Number of Lyme disease cases reported to the New Jersey Department of Health

Denominator

Total number of persons in the population

Why Is This Important?

Lyme disease is primarily caused by bacteria called ''Borrelia burgdorferi'' and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks, ''Ixodes scapularis''). Typical symptoms include chills, fever, bull's-eye rash, headache, and muscle pain. Lyme disease affects the central nervous system, heart, and joints in its advanced stages.

How Are We Doing?

The incidence of Lyme disease decreased from 40.8 cases per 100,000 population in 2019 to 27.6 cases per 100,000 population in 2020. *Lower case counts and rates for 2020 could be impacted by COVID causing people to be less likely seek medical attention.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

In 2019, 95% of confirmed Lyme disease cases were reported from 17 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States, however this disease does not occur nationwide and is concentrated heavily in the Northeast and upper Midwest.[https://www.cdc.gov/Lyme/stats/index.html ^1^] The NJ 2020 incidence rate of 27.6 cases per 100,000 population remains far above the US 2019 incidence rate of 10.7.

What Is Being Done?

The NJDOH [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/ Communicable Disease Service] (CDS) has staff dedicated to the monitoring, control and prevention of vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. Specific activities performed by NJDOH CDS vector-borne illness staff include surveillance of vector-borne diseases, identifying risk factors, monitoring geographic trends, providing technical assistance and training and educating the public and public health partners. CDS and local health departments offer educational information about the spread, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease as well as how to safely remove a tick. NJDOH offers free continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CPE, CHES, CPH) on Lyme disease prevention, testing, diagnosis, and treatment, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/lyme.shtml].

Evidence-based Practices

Individuals can take preventive measures to protect against Lyme disease. Knowing where ticks live (in or near wooded or grassy areas) and walking in the center of trails can help avoid contact with ticks. Keeping your yard clean by mowing lawns, clearing brush and removing leaf litter removes tick habitats. Applying EPA-registered insect repellent on skin and permethrin on clothing, boots and camping gear helps to keep ticks off your body. Wearing light-colored clothes can help you spot ticks and wearing long sleeves and pants tucked into socks can prevent ticks from getting under clothes. Checking your body for ticks and showering after being outdoors, ideally within 2 hours, can help find and wash off unattached ticks.

Data Tables


Lyme Disease Incidence Rate, New Jersey, 2007-2020

YearCases per 100,000Numer- ator
Record Count: 14
200736.13,134
200840.03,485
200956.84,973
201042.23,712
201148.34,262
201240.43,576
201342.53,766
201437.13,286
201554.74,855
201649.04,350
201757.35,092
201844.94,000
201940.83,622
202027.62,566

Data Notes

Data were captured by county of residence, not county of exposure.   The graph displays the incidence rate of Lyme Disease from 2007 through 2020 in New Jersey. Annual estimates of the resident population (July 1, 2007-2020) were used to calculate New Jersey Lyme disease incidence rates by year. National surveillance case definition was revised in 2008 to include probable cases. 2007 incidence rate was calculated using confirmed cases. Incidence rates from 2008 to 2020 were calculated using confirmed and probable cases.

Data Sources

  • Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System, Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/cdrss/]
  • Population Estimates, [https://www.nj.gov/labor/lpa/dmograph/est/est_index.html State Data Center], New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development


Reported Cases of Lyme Disease by Year and Case Status, New Jersey, 2007-2020

Case StatusYearCases
Record Count: 27
Confirmed20073,134
Confirmed20083,214
Confirmed20094,598
Confirmed20103,320
Confirmed20113,398
Confirmed20122,732
Confirmed20132,785
Confirmed20142,589
Confirmed20153,932
Confirmed20163,332
Confirmed20173,629
Confirmed20182,875
Confirmed20192,403
Confirmed20201,798
Probable2008271
Probable2009375
Probable2010392
Probable2011864
Probable2012844
Probable2013981
Probable2014697
Probable2015923
Probable20161,018
Probable20171,463
Probable20181,125
Probable20191,219
Probable2020768

Data Notes

Data were captured by county of residence, not county of exposure.   The graph displays the number of CDRSS reported cases of Lyme disease from 2007 through 2020 in New Jersey. National surveillance case definition was revised in 2008 to include probable cases.

Data Sources

  • Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System, Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/cdrss/]
  • Population Estimates, [https://www.nj.gov/labor/lpa/dmograph/est/est_index.html State Data Center], New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development


Lyme Disease Incidence Rates by County, New Jersey, 2020

CountyCases per 100,000Numer- ator
Record Count: 21
Atlantic2363
Bergen18170
Burlington34156
Camden1367
Cape May2928
Cumberland4061
Essex1192
Gloucester34102
Hudson110
Hunterdon167215
Mercer47181
Middlesex13111
Monmouth44280
Morris59301
Ocean1384
Passaic1790
Salem5737
Somerset41140
Sussex96139
Union742
Warren180197

Data Notes

Data were captured by county of residence, not county of exposure.   The map and chart display the number of CDRSS reported confirmed and probable Lyme disease cases in 2020 in New Jersey. 2020 annual estimates of the resident population were used to calculate county incidence rates.

Data Sources

  • Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System, Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/cdrss/]
  • Population Estimates, [https://www.nj.gov/labor/lpa/dmograph/est/est_index.html State Data Center], New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development


Lyme Disease Cases by County and Year, New Jersey, 2007-2020

YearCountyCases per 100,000Numer- ator
Record Count: 294
2007Atlantic58.8160
2007Bergen17.6157
2007Burlington39.1175
2007Camden0.63
2007Cape May38.938
2007Cumberland106.2164
2007Essex11.791
2007Gloucester2.57
2007Hudson2.616
2007Hunterdon199.1256
2007Mercer56.7206
2007Middlesex9.273
2007Monmouth44.7280
2007Morris67.6330
2007Ocean36.3205
2007Passaic18.591
2007Salem85.056
2007Somerset47.0149
2007Sussex235.1354
2007Union10.756
2007Warren244.6267
2008Atlantic45.1123
2008Bergen19.4174
2008Burlington62.2278
2008Camden0.42
2008Cape May36.936
2008Cumberland62.998
2008Essex15.8123
2008Gloucester35.7102
2008Hudson3.119
2008Hunterdon295.8380
2008Mercer64.8236
2008Middlesex6.854
2008Monmouth41.4260
2008Morris83.9411
2008Ocean26.9153
2008Passaic31.7157
2008Salem68.245
2008Somerset48.3154
2008Sussex235.8354
2008Union13.169
2008Warren235.2257
2009Atlantic50.0137
2009Bergen31.3282
2009Burlington91.0407
2009Camden1.26
2009Cape May41.140
2009Cumberland124.6195
2009Essex26.7209
2009Gloucester52.2150
2009Hudson9.459
2009Hunterdon345.9444
2009Mercer69.2253
2009Middlesex22.7183
2009Monmouth65.1409
2009Morris130.6641
2009Ocean33.0189
2009Passaic50.7253
2009Salem68.045
2009Somerset79.6256
2009Sussex290.3434
2009Union16.588
2009Warren268.6292
2010Atlantic45.1124
2010Bergen18.3166
2010Burlington54.8246
2010Camden1.89
2010Cape May27.827
2010Cumberland61.997
2010Essex18.6146
2010Gloucester38.8112
2010Hudson6.340
2010Hunterdon253.7323
2010Mercer43.0158
2010Middlesex16.5134
2010Monmouth53.5337
2010Morris97.2479
2010Ocean43.1249
2010Passaic35.3177
2010Salem45.530
2010Somerset62.9204
2010Sussex268.1399
2010Union12.567
2010Warren173.1188
2011Atlantic44.8123
2011Bergen24.2221
2011Burlington51.8233
2011Camden17.489
2011Cape May44.643
2011Cumberland53.584
2011Essex18.8148
2011Gloucester46.3134
2011Hudson4.328
2011Hunterdon345.6440
2011Mercer59.1217
2011Middlesex27.1221
2011Monmouth56.7357
2011Morris96.6478
2011Ocean38.4222
2011Passaic34.4173
2011Salem98.765
2011Somerset52.4171
2011Sussex298.4442
2011Union16.589
2011Warren262.6284
2012Atlantic35.397
2012Bergen20.0183
2012Burlington57.7260
2012Camden17.288
2012Cape May42.641
2012Cumberland56.188
2012Essex15.4121
2012Gloucester48.0139
2012Hudson4.026
2012Hunterdon163.5207
2012Mercer38.5142
2012Middlesex19.4159
2012Monmouth53.7337
2012Morris80.9401
2012Ocean35.2204
2012Passaic34.2172
2012Salem81.053
2012Somerset76.7251
2012Sussex228.0335
2012Union14.076
2012Warren182.2196
2013Atlantic24.467
2013Bergen26.2241
2013Burlington47.0211
2013Camden25.3129
2013Cape May27.226
2013Cumberland38.460
2013Essex16.6131
2013Gloucester34.9101
2013Hudson7.549
2013Hunterdon178.0225
2013Mercer38.2141
2013Middlesex19.5160
2013Monmouth59.3372
2013Morris112.5558
2013Ocean36.1210
2013Passaic35.7180
2013Salem80.352
2013Somerset65.3215
2013Sussex238.3347
2013Union14.378
2013Warren199.2213
2014Atlantic37.0101
2014Bergen22.9212
2014Burlington43.7196
2014Camden22.2113
2014Cape May12.612
2014Cumberland38.460
2014Essex14.4114
2014Gloucester42.7124
2014Hudson6.744
2014Hunterdon70.789
2014Mercer38.8143
2014Middlesex26.7220
2014Monmouth70.2439
2014Morris82.6409
2014Ocean39.7232
2014Passaic37.6190
2014Salem29.519
2014Somerset43.7144
2014Sussex178.5258
2014Union10.859
2014Warren100.9108
2015Atlantic42.1114
2015Bergen29.7275
2015Burlington57.7258
2015Camden27.2138
2015Cape May28.727
2015Cumberland55.586
2015Essex20.9165
2015Gloucester44.0128
2015Hudson8.154
2015Hunterdon364.4457
2015Mercer67.6249
2015Middlesex34.9288
2015Monmouth84.9530
2015Morris115.7572
2015Ocean49.4290
2015Passaic48.4244
2015Salem58.137
2015Somerset78.3258
2015Sussex216.1309
2015Union19.4107
2015Warren252.0269
2016Atlantic34.793
2016Bergen30.0279
2016Burlington62.8280
2016Camden24.3123
2016Cape May20.319
2016Cumberland63.998
2016Essex19.9158
2016Gloucester40.9119
2016Hudson7.550
2016Hunterdon169.2211
2016Mercer71.2262
2016Middlesex36.7303
2016Monmouth78.9492
2016Morris109.1539
2016Ocean46.4274
2016Passaic40.5204
2016Salem50.632
2016Somerset65.5216
2016Sussex183.2260
2016Union17.295
2016Warren229.1243
2017Atlantic24.866
2017Bergen32.5303
2017Burlington51.0227
2017Camden31.4159
2017Cape May23.622
2017Cumberland65.299
2017Essex26.0207
2017Gloucester42.6124
2017Hudson10.772
2017Hunterdon356.3444
2017Mercer60.2222
2017Middlesex38.8321
2017Monmouth88.4550
2017Morris131.5650
2017Ocean50.7302
2017Passaic32.8165
2017Salem71.645
2017Somerset84.7280
2017Sussex234.4331
2017Union19.8110
2017Warren371.2393
2018Atlantic28.375
2018Bergen24.8232
2018Burlington41.8186
2018Camden31.0157
2018Cape May33.531
2018Cumberland53.781
2018Essex20.9167
2018Gloucester37.4109
2018Hudson3.826
2018Hunterdon268.6335
2018Mercer44.6165
2018Middlesex18.6154
2018Monmouth81.4506
2018Morris95.5472
2018Ocean48.2290
2018Passaic29.6149
2018Salem92.658
2018Somerset67.9225
2018Sussex174.7246
2018Union16.592
2018Warren230.7244
2019Atlantic35.794
2019Bergen21.0196
2019Burlington52.8235
2019Camden16.081
2019Cape May28.226
2019Cumberland42.163
2019Essex14.3114
2019Gloucester47.7139
2019Hudson3.725
2019Hunterdon271.6339
2019Mercer50.9187
2019Middlesex20.7171
2019Monmouth59.6369
2019Morris86.6426
2019Ocean37.1225
2019Passaic26.2131
2019Salem73.746
2019Somerset60.5199
2019Sussex178.7251
2019Union11.363
2019Warren229.9242
2020Atlantic22.963
2020Bergen17.8170
2020Burlington33.8156
2020Camden12.867
2020Cape May29.428
2020Cumberland36.921
2020Essex10.792
2020Gloucester33.7102
2020Hudson1.410
2020Hunterdon166.7215
2020Mercer46.7181
2020Middlesex12.9111
2020Monmouth43.5280
2020Morris59.1301
2020Ocean13.284
2020Passaic17.290
2020Salem57.137
2020Somerset40.5140
2020Sussex96.4139
2020Union7.342
2020Warren179.7197

Data Notes

Data were captured by county of residence, not county of exposure.   The table displays the incidence rate and number of CDRSS reported cases of Lyme disease from 2007 through 2020 in New Jersey. Annual estimates of the resident population (July 1, 2007-2020) were used to calculate county incidence rates. National surveillance case definition was revised in 2008 to include probable cases. 2007 incidence rate was calculated using confirmed cases. Incidence rates from 2008 to 2020 were calculated using confirmed and probable cases.

Data Sources

  • Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System, Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/cdrss/]
  • Population Estimates, [https://www.nj.gov/labor/lpa/dmograph/est/est_index.html State Data Center], New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development


Reported confirmed cases of Lyme disease are most common among males between the ages of 10 to 14 years, and among females between the ages of 50 to 54. Five year age groups (0-4, 5-9, 10-14 ... 85-89, 90+) are labeled with the lowest included age.

Confirmed Lyme Disease Cases by Age and Gender, New Jersey, 2007-2020

SexAge GroupCases
Record Count: 38
Male0574
Male52,155
Male102,564
Male152,207
Male201,515
Male251,162
Male301,142
Male351,391
Male401,689
Male452,166
Male502,468
Male552,611
Male602,338
Male651,950
Male701,473
Male75948
Male80637
Male85315
Male90+108
Female0506
Female51,554
Female101,447
Female151,532
Female201,288
Female251,113
Female301,167
Female351,402
Female401,589
Female451,968
Female502,341
Female552,171
Female601,963
Female651,624
Female701,308
Female75940
Female80675
Female85320
Female90+142

Data Notes

Data were captured by county of residence, not county of exposure.   Reported confirmed cases of Lyme disease are most common among males between the ages of 10 to 14 years, and among females between the ages of 50 to 54. Five year age groups (0-4, 5-9, 10-14 ... 85-89, 90+) are labeled with the lowest included age. Cases with blank date of birth and/or unknown/not stated gender are excluded. Age is calculated by subtracting date of report from date of birth.

Data Source

Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System, Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/cdrss/]


Confirmed Lyme Disease Cases by Month of Illness Onset, New Jersey, 2007-2020

Months of the YearCase Counts
Record Count: 12
January1,082
February940
March1,183
April1,465
May2,771
June7,498
July6,735
August2,996
September2,053
October1,886
November1,337
December940

Data Notes

Data were captured by county of residence, not county of exposure.   The graph displays the confirmed cases of Lyme disease with illness onset date by month from 2007 through 2020 in New Jersey. Lyme disease cases are most likely to have illness onset in June and July and less likely to have illness onset from November through March. Cases with blank illness onset date were excluded.

Data Source

Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System, Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/cdrss/]

References and Community Resources

1. CDC, Lyme Disease Data and Statistics: [http://www.cdc.gov/Lyme/stats/index.html] CDC's Lyme Disease web portal: [http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/] NJDOH offers free continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CPE, CHES, CPH) on Lyme disease prevention, testing, diagnosis, and treatment: [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/lyme.shtml]

Page Content Updated On 03/21/2022, Published on 10/17/2022
Communicable Disease Service, Infectious and Zoonotic Disease Program, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, NJ, 08625, Phone: 609-826-5964, Web: www.state.nj.us/health/cd
The information provided above is from the Department of Health's NJSHAD web site (https://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Thu, 25 April 2024 5:01:49 from Department of Health, New Jersey State Health Assessment Data Web site: https://nj.gov/health/shad ".

Content updated: no date