Reviewed By: Dr. Surangama Lehri
Table of Contents
- What is Lyme Disease and What’s Causing the Rise?
- 2025’s New & Surprising Lyme Symptoms to Watch For
- Lyme’s New Hotspots: Where Are You Most at Risk Now?
- Next-Gen Diagnostics: Smarter Testing Is Here
- Emerging Lyme Disease Treatments You Should Know
- Prevention 2.0: How to Stay Safe in a Lyme-Heavy World
- Overcome Lyme Disease At The Top US Lyme Clinic – LifeWorks
- What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Exposed
- Can We Finally Get Ahead of Lyme Disease?
- Lyme Disease Case Maps | Lyme Disease | CDC
- Dr Alok Patel lyme Disease – Search
Ticks, mosquitoes and fleas, oh my!
Cases of Lyme disease are on the rise, and it’s been reported that blacklegged ticks are carrying some other nasty vector-borne diseases that they can transmit to humans via their bloodsucking bites. According to the World Health Organization, vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes and fleas, account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually.
Mosquitoes, the number one culprit worldwide, are known to spread such classic hits as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus disease The Vitals team is here with the answers about how vector-borne diseases spread, and what some researchers are doing to better understand why cases are on the rise.
Lyme Disease Cases Are Surging. Who Is Most At Risk? | Cascade PBS
Dr. Alok Patel chats with Dr. Christina Nelson, Medical Officer at the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) to get the current “big picture” on Lyme disease, how it is transmitted and what you can do to stay safe while enjoying nature.
Also, Eloise Skinner, a researcher in the Mordecai Lab at Stanford University explains how her team is using machine learning to better understand how our human footprint can be a predictor for the transmission and prevention of VBDs. Don’t worry, we will also have a little health lesson on what to do if you get bit by a tick and where to turn if you get infected.
Lyme disease is on the rise again, and this time with more urgency than ever. According to CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention), emergency room visits for tick bites have reached their highest level in five years, with hundreds of Emergency Rooms visits reported weekly in peak regions.
But it’s not just the numbers that are changing; the disease is also evolving, showing up in new places, with unfamiliar symptoms, and requiring faster, smarter treatments.
If you think Lyme is only a concern in wooded areas of the Northeast United States, it’s time that you rethink. Cases are now being reported in the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and even parts of Canada that were previously unaffected. It’s affecting more areas than ever, including urban parks and states previously considered low-risk areas than ever, including urban parks, and states that were previously considered low-risk.
So, what’s behind this alarming rise, and what can you do to protect yourself and your family? Let’s find out! Search Results for Lyme Disease | Cancer Quick Facts
What is Lyme Disease and What’s Causing the Rise?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
It is transmitted to humans through an infected tick (primarily deer tick or black-legged tick) bite. However, the common ticks (wood tick or dog tick) do not carry the infection.
The ticks carrying bacterial infection are mostly found in grassy, bushy, or wooded areas of the United States. But Lyme disease is most prevalent in the upper Midwest, northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. It’s also common in Europe, South Central and Southeastern Canada, and some parts of Asia.
Characterized by early symptoms like bull’s eye rash, fatigue and fever, it progresses to affect joints, heart, brain and nervous system.
Some most common causes for rise in the disease include:
- Longer Tick Seasons
As our climate continues to warm, ticks stay active for up to 10 months of the year in many regions. Climate change has reduced the duration and intensity of cold seasons, resulting in higher tick survival rates. Mild winters and wet springs give them a perfect environment to breed and thrive.
- Urban Expansion
Ticks are increasingly found in suburban backyards, city parks, dog trails, and even greenbelts in the city neighborhoods, not just deep forests.
As cities expand into natural tick habitats, and as deer and small mammals (tick hosts) adapt to urban environments, ticks proliferate in areas where people live and recreate.
- More Outdoor Time
People love spending more time outdoors, hiking, gardening, camping, especially post pandemic. While this return to nature is refreshing, it also increases the chances of tick bites; especially if people are unaware and inconsistent with tick prevention (proper clothing, tick checks, repellents).
2025’s New & Surprising Lyme Symptoms to Watch
The most common early symptom of Lyme disease is “bull’s eye rash (erythema migrans).” But it’s no longer the reliable sign it used to be.
As per CDC, only about 70-80% of people infected ever see this rash.
This means a significant proportion of infected have never seen the hallmark rash, making early detection even more difficult.
Here’s a list of some new or commonly missed symptoms of Lyme disease to watch for in 2025:
- Extreme Fatigue: The kind that doesn’t go away with rest
- Recurring Migraines: Persistent and painful headaches
- Brain Fog: Trouble focusing, forgetfulness or feeling off
- Memory Lapses: Forgetting names, appointments, or conversations
- Heart Symptoms: Irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort or dizziness
These symptoms often mimic other conditions, which is why early diagnosis becomes tricky. Many people go weeks or even months before realizing they’re infected.
Also Read: Flu Symptoms 2025
Lyme’s New Hotspots: Where Are You Most at Risk Now?
Lyme disease is on the move, spreading beyond its usual areas. It’s no longer limited to a few high-risk areas in the US Northeast and Upper Midwest, though these places are also seeing large numbers. 2025 has seen a noticeable shift in the Lyme map.
New or Underrecognized Hotspots and Rising Risk Areas for Lyme Disease Include:
- Northern California
- British Columbia, Canada
- The Great Lakes region (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota)
And ticks are no longer just in forests and trails.
They are adapting and more bites are now reported from:
- Urban parks
- Dog parks
- School playgrounds
- Community gardens
Researchers believe changes in vegetation, local animal populations (like deer and mice), and urban landscaping have made these areas prime tick habitats. So, if you live or spend time in these areas, stay alert, ticks may be closer than you think.
Next-Gen Diagnostics: Smarter Testing Is Here
For years, Lyme disease testing has been unreliable. The traditional 2-step test (ELISA followed by Western blot) often misses early infections or gives false negatives.
But 2025 is changing that. Cutting-edge innovations powered by AI are bringing in hope for faster, more accurate diagnosis, especially in the critical early stages.
Let’s see what’s new in Lyme testing:
- AI Powered Blood Tests
New blood tests are developed by researchers that use AI to analyze unique immune responses to Lyme bacteria. These tests look for multiple protein markers simultaneously and boost accuracy to over 90%. It works even in early infection.
- Faster Results:
Next-gen tests can deliver results in under 30 minutes. This enables quicker diagnosis and timely treatment to prevent long-term complications.
- Smarter Differentiation:
AI enhanced tests detect immune patterns unique to each patient, thereby reducing false negatives and helping tailor more effective treatments.
- On the Horizon:
Several of these innovative diagnostics have already received FDA approval, and early studies are showing promising results. Commercial availability is expected soon, marking a new era in Lyme disease care.
Emerging Lyme Disease Treatments You Should Know
For years, Lyme treatment meant long courses of antibiotics. While they are helpful for many, these treatments often fall short, particularly for those with late-stage or chronic symptoms.
Thankfully, things are changing fast, bringing in innovative therapies and a shift toward personalized care. What’s new? Check below:
- Targeted Drug Therapies:
Scientists are developing new medications that specifically target the Lyme bacteria. An exciting approach is to block a key enzyme (called BbLDH), which is required by Lyme Bacteria to survive.
These next-gen drugs attack the infection more precisely without harming your body’s healthy cells and microbiome.
- Herbal & Integrative Options:
Natural remedies like Japanese knotweed and cryptolepis are showing real promise in lab studies for their strong antibacterial activity against Lyme. These are now being explored in both clinical research and as complementary options alongside standard care.
- Personalized Medicine:
Doctors are beginning to map each patient’s microbiome to understand how their gut and immune system react to infection. This helps customize treatment, especially for people dealing with chronic or persistent Lyme symptoms.
Prevention 2.0: How to Stay Safe in a Lyme-Heavy World
With Lyme disease cases surging, prevention is more crucial than ever. And today’s strategies go far beyond just bug sprays. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your loved ones effectively:
1. Smart Clothing:
- Wear light-colored clothes to spot ticks easily.
- Tuck your pants into your socks when hiking or gardening.
- Consider permethrin-treated clothing as it repels and even kills ticks on contact.
2. Repellents That Work:
- Look for repellents that contain 20-30% DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Apply to exposed skin and reapply as required, especially after sweating or swimming.
3. Vaccines on the Way:
Valneva and Pfizer are testing a new Lyme disease vaccine called VLA15. It’s in the final stage of trials with 6,000 people in North America and Europe. The main three shots are done, and results are expected by the end of 2025.
If it works well, the vaccine could be approved in 2026. VLA15 targets six types of Lyme bacteria and may help protect millions from getting sick.
4. Community Level Prevention
Neighborhoods are adopting smart strategies like:
- Planting tick-repelling plants
- Using tick tubes in yards targeting rodent hosts
- Keeping pet tick control up to date
- Public spaces like schools and parks are starting to add tick awareness signs and prevention zones.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Exposed
Tick bites are tiny and can be easily missed. Even if you never saw a tick, you could still be at risk.
Watch for these symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Stiff neck
- Unexplained rash (even if not a bull’s-eye)
What to ask your doctor?
- Request a modern Lyme test (not just ELISA/Western blot). Newer diagnostics are more accurate than traditional tests.
- Consider a Lyme-literate or integrative practitioner if symptoms persist.
- Keep a symptom diary; it helps your provider see patterns and track progress.
Act Early: DO NOT wait for a rash to appear. If you feel off after spending time outdoors, reach out to your doctor promptly. Early treatment is the best way to prevent lasting complications.
| What to do if you find an attached tick? Remove it as soon as possible with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight out without twisting. Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or alcohol. Save the tick in a sealed bag (for possible identification) and note the date/location of the bite. Ask your provider if sending the tick for testing is recommended in your area. |
Can We Finally Get Ahead of Lyme Disease?
Yes, we have reasons to hope. With better testing, more personalized treatments, and rising public awareness, we’re finally starting to get ahead of Lyme disease.
Schools, hospitals, and community centers across the country are launching tick safety campaigns, helping people stay informed and protected. Meanwhile, biotech companies are investing in research like never before to find better cures.
We suggest people listen to their bodies and speak up when something feels wrong, thereby leading to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes. 2025 may mark a record-breaking year for Lyme disease cases, but it might also be the turning point toward clearer, faster, and more personalized Lyme care.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements about emerging treatments, vaccines, or herbal remedies are based on current research and are subject to change as new evidence becomes available.
References:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Climate Change Indicators: Lyme Disease. EPA, 1 July 2016 (last updated Dec. 2024), www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-lyme-disease.
- Association of Health Care Journalists. “Lyme Disease Is Changing in a Warming World and So Should the News.” Association of Health Care Journalists, 16 July 2025, https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/07/lyme-disease-is-changing-in-a-warming-world-and-so-should-the-news/.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs‑symptoms/index.html.
- American Society for Microbiology. “Scientists Uncover Lyme Disease’s Hidden Achilles’ Heel – And How to Exploit It.” SciTechDaily, 20 Mar. 2025, scitechdaily.com/scientists-uncover-lyme-diseases-hidden-achilles-heel-and-how-to-exploit-it/.
- Dykstra, Mischa. “Ethnobotanical Medicine Is Effective Against the Bacterium Causing Lyme Disease.” Frontiers, 21 Feb. 2020, frontiersin.org/news/2020/02/21/ethnobotanical-medicine-is-effective-against-the-bacterium-causing-lyme-disease.
- Pfizer Inc. and Valneva SE. “Pfizer and Valneva Complete Recruitment for Phase 3 VALOR Trial for Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate, VLA15.” Pfizer News Release, 4 Dec. 2023, www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/phase-3-valor-lyme-disease-trial-valneva-and-pfizer.
Thank you for this. Do you have a source for this one and seven people?
I want to share it, but I have people who always ask for sources.
Roxanne Berardi Perkins what are your thoughts on this paragraph. What test do you think they used? I mean, I know it says that they went through 89 studies so I guess they’re just working on whatever analytic was used, but they’re saying if it was Western blot it’d be better.
Can you imagine if the new iGenex was approved and used freely what the numbers might be?—-
“The study also said that research using an analytic technique called western blotting was more reliable and that its use “could significantly improve the accuracy” of future studies.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/…/14-percent-world-population…
14 percent of the world population may have had Lyme disease, research finds
Giant Study Reveals Over 14% of The World Has Probably Had Lyme Disease : ScienceAlert
These statements always need to be backed up with facts! 
Joyce Youngman 95% of the population has EBV antibodies.
This study, which showed that looked for antibodies against Borrelia, not EBV.
I have antibodies to both plus low CD57 + NK cells(complete) raised Hematocrit & DNA SNP for CVID, JAK2 V617F, & several oncogenes including diagnosis of conditions like FH deficient Leiomyoma, SDHC, calcified Adrenal glands RET related Hypercalcemia Primary-Hyperparathyroidism(MEN2a) Hirschsprung variant, liver cyst but Drs don’t want to know & tell me my blood tests are fine.
Joyce Youngman 95% of the population has EBV antibodies.
This study, which showed that 14% of the world population has Lyme, looked for antibodies against Borrelia, not EBV.
Jason Valentine If testing is inaccurate what test is used to determine that testing is inaccurate ??? If testing is inaccurate how is it determined then how many people have it ???? Lyme in itself doesn’t cause symptoms . The immune response to it is what causes symptoms . Lyme can go dormant for a short period not years but continues replicating in the body and can be asymptomatic then become symptomatic with an immune response that causes symptoms .
Jason Valentine Testing is generally inaccurate. I was tested several times and it either came out negative or inconclusive. It was when I had the Igenex test and found a Lyme Disease specialist with many misdiagnoses that I was finally found to be positive for it.
Dawn Keller oh I know it’s inaccurate . Just can’t quantify it with a number if we don’t have a means to weigh it against . So I don’t like data like that in posts or that people just believe what they read because they read it . Sorry I’m an engineer and I advocate that we give accurate info for our cause so people can’t dismiss us as a group that believes anything or doesn’t know what we are talking about etc . But I’m well versed sadly as to testing being inaccurate . Unless it’s a recent infection and positive IGM test . Not to be confused with a false negative . A positive IGM is all we got that’s accurate .
Dawn Keller Jason Valentine Yes I definitely understand this. I kinda take statistics with a grain of salt. When I was diagnosed and halfway through treatment, I knew of around 70 people or so in my area who had been diagnosed with Late stage/Chronic Lyme. Yet the CDC there was NO LYME in that area.
Dawn Keller this medical injustice needs to stop . If there are birds for example especially ones that migrate then how can’t they say oh no lyme in that area . Plus it has slowly spread from lyme ct all over the world .there’s data and maps and graphs all over . Like what small animals can’t slowly spread it ? Nonsense .
Dawn Keller Even MORE ridiculous is it was in Chattanooga, Tennessee where I lived and at the time (20+ years ago), Georgia was one of the leading states for Lyme Disease. Yet WE had none?! Plus Chattanooga is pretty much right on the border anyway. I guess THOSE ticks knew not to cross the state line, right?!,🙄🙄
Patty Frymire I’ve had chronic Lyme for 30+ years,now I have Alpha Gal for last few years. I HATE TICKS!!!
Mindy Waddell RitchLab borne disease 🦠 bagan in bio lab in Lyme Connecticut
April Reddington Mindy Waddell Ritch Ritch actually, Plum Island. The first cases were found in children in Lyme, CT
Roxanne Berardi Perkins April Reddington
actually, the first known case was found in Otzi
5300-year-old “Iceman” is first recorded case of Lyme disease
Maureen Wilder What do you expect from engineered viruses? Looking at you, covid, too.
Marcy ShulmanI tested negative after a bite over 20 years ago. 1.5 years ago my herbalist suggested that I be tested though I had no bite. I had unusual back pain and exhaustion. The test was positive. An herbal specialist suggested that it had been dormant but was reactivated by spike proteins from others who had the v-c was well as the chemtrails.
Samantha Jenner
I actually think Lyme tests are less accurate than that. I was tested last year 2x and nothing came up. I’m now working with a groups of functional physicians and have learned that there are 18 different strains of Lyme diseases. So in order to properly diagnose your lines and if you have multiple kinds, which I have four different strains of limes, disease, and my doctors and I know for sure that I have had at least two of those for about 20 years and I have never been diagnosed properly with any of my medical issues. Not only my four types of lymes disease, but also Hashimoto’s since I was in middle school and just diagnosed a year and a half ago at the age of 41, Epstein-Barr virus, which comes from mono, which I never had mono, but my brother did 25 years ago so I’ve had that sitting in my body this whole time too.
The saddest part about what’s going on in this country and the world for women’s health is that we have never been studied ever. That’s why a man can go in and get tested and get a result and get treated when women with the same things get ignored. Because 99.9% of all medical professionals out there never learned how to treat and take care of women because researchers and scientists never studied us.
Sara Sanchez CollinsI’ve suffered most of my life, I’m 58 have been dealing with health issues since being bit the 1st time at 4. Doctors have missed & misdiagnosed me my whole damn life. I’m beyond fed up about this. 😭🤬😤
Jason ValentineWhat’s the story with a weak positive IgG for Lyme low CD57+NK cells(complete) EBV IgG 3046 raised Hematocrit & DNA snp’s for several oncogenes including JAK2 V617F, MEN2a, HLRCC, SDHC & diagnosis for both Leiomyoma, & Hypercalcemia Primary-Hyperparathyroidism calcified adrenal gland & a liver cyst.
Jason Valentine The Lyme & EBV & Hematocrit are mainstream testing the others are WGS DNA results I would recommend this type of test to anyone struggling with long term chronic conditions.
Hana Lynn EVERYONE GET YOUR TEST PRINTED. DEMAND IT.
MORE THAN LIKELY YOU HAVE PRESENT BANDS!!!!!!
JUST NOT “enough” to qualify as valid for treatment in this HELL of a country!!!!!
I was told I am negative. I have 4 bands. That is not negative. once you learn what bands you have, you can specifically treat them and always dm me for help if needed
Robin V Schwoyer
Because of working with the center for Lima action, I become fascinated by the statistics that everyone chooses to do. It also has to do with my training over 30 years ago at Drexel University where have degrees in finance and marketing. Basically what we were taught is numbers never lie but we can make them say anything that you want especially if you pay us enough lol
With that said, I was trying to figure out numbers that I saw back in March that changed the 476,000 persons a year to 620,000 and that was based on a change from those 30,000 to 60,000 people reported from Health departments. But I found this and trying to find the numbers—–
Lyme Disease Surveillance and Data | Lyme Disease | CDC
So this states that the most recent information shows that we have 89,000 cases being reported to through surveillance of Health departments. However, they’re still maintaining the 476,000 people from the compilation of insurance claims.
But there’s no way numbers actually lineup because if we have more people being reported than we probably have more claims for insurance. But again the 476,000 persons a year is an estimate that the CDC admits is underestimating. Now I’m saying all this because I’m fascinated with persister cells.
In other words, even if you’re treating cases of Lyme disease, there are the bacteria that know to change form. And I’ve been looking for statistics to show any research on how many cells we think get away. Especially when they know they are under pressure from doxycycline. Antibiotic pressure will definitely cause transformation of these cells.
Now when the sales transfer into her sister sis or biofilms that is not considered a replicating cell. However, it is capable of holding a pathogen. And when pressure is relieved it is capable of going back to its active form. This can explain why some people have dormant Lyme disease.
Or can explain why we think we treated something actively and because our testing is pathetic and ineffective you can show no act of Lyme and yet it is in the system. So what doing research for that and playing with the post that you just did if we have $89,000 people a year officially reported and the CDC says that there might be 14% of people who wind up with persistent lyme then that would mean that almost 13,000 people a year would wind up with something that is potentially a chronic lyme.
If we use the 476,000 number then that figure would be approximately 67000 people a year continuing with lyme related diseases. And of course this does not take into account any of the other tick-borne illnesses, which I think everybody should be standardly tested for given the endemic across the country.
Long story short, I think we do need to be definitely talking about the 89,000 people Up to over 600,000 people a year because this is information that needs to be in front of the doctors when they’re questioning why we want treatments or we want better testing. Lyme Disease Surveillance and Data | Lyme Disease | CDC
Linda Crowley
+Long before Lyme became widely heard of, I remember pointing out the tick bite on my leg and commenting to my husband, “It looks like a bull’s eye!” We were overseas at the time. For years afterwards, I had health issues. “It sounds like Lyme”, more than one doctor said in later years, but all tests came back negative. I finally was in the hospital with a horrible reaction to another tick bite, and the specialist said, “Of course it never showed up. Our Lyme tests only catch the American variety, not the European variety.” The long dose of antibiotics helped, but I know the damage had already been done. I’m just not sure what issues are related, and what else needs to be watched for.
9 Ancient Civilizations That Collapsed After Climate Shifts—Could Ours Be Next?
What Happened to Rome After the Empire Fell? | Watch
What Caused the Fall of the Roman Empire | Watch
Lyme Disease Cases Are Surging. Who Is Most At Risk?
The 7 Reasons This Pillow Tackles Sleep Apnea_5_3