Health Conditions

Who has it?

Anyone can get Lyme disease. As stated in the introduction section, over 23,000 cases of Lyme Disease were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005. This translates to an average of 7.9 cases for every 100,000 persons living in the United States. However, in the 10 states where Lyme disease is most common, the average was 31.6 cases for every 100,000 persons. Lyme disease is only transmitted through ticks; there is currently no evidence of it being contracted any other way. Ticks are attracted to warm bodies, no matter the age or sex. Dogs and cats can get Lyme disease just like humans. The infection can not be spread directly from the dog or cat to a human; however, these pets can carry infected ticks inside the house. There are over 850 species of ticks; about 100 species of ticks are capable of transmitting Lyme disease. The ticks that most commonly spread Lyme disease in the United States are often called Deer Ticks, because deer carry these ticks. Interestingly, deer do not get Lyme disease.