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.