Lyme Disease in the Northeast is No Longer Just a Dog Problem
If you live in the Northeast, spend any time outdoors, or have dogs who do, you already know the drill: ticks are everywhere. And with them, the very real risk of Lyme disease.
So when I see claims downplaying Lyme risk (like in this video), I have to push back. She gives the likelihood of getting Lyme 3/10. I give this video 3/10 for accuracy for the Northeast. Because real-world experience in tick country tells a very different story.
The odds of encountering dear ticks (the carriers of Lyme) in many areas is more like 6 or 8 out of 10. That’s not paranoia, it’s lived reality for those of us in “tick country.”
The numbers back it up. In 2023, the CDC received over 89,000 reported cases of Lyme disease, the majority from the Northeast and Upper Midwest. But those numbers don’t even tell the full story. Insurance data suggests that approximately 476,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed and treated for Lyme each year. That’s nearly half a million people annually. And a huge portion of those cases happen right here in the Northeast.
The trouble is that while Lyme disease is familiar, it’s still widely misunderstood. Miss the early signs and prompt antibiotic treatment, and you could end up facing chronic Lyme, a complex and often debilitating condition. Even experts still debate exactly how and why some people experience long-lasting symptoms.
It’s Not Just Lyme: The Rise of Co-Infections
Ticks in the Northeast carry more than just Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria that causes Lyme). Co-infections like anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus are increasingly common, and in some cases, even more dangerous.
- Anaplasmosis: Reported cases have hit record highs in recent years. A close friend of mine nearly died from this infection and spent four days in the hospital on IV antibiotics.
- Babesiosis: The CDC reports sharp increases in endemic Northeastern states. Between 2011 and 2019, states like Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire saw significant increases in cases.
- Powassan virus: Still rare, with about 20–50 cases reported nationwide per year, but on the rise and potentially deadly.
If you live in a high-risk area, chances are you or someone you already know has had a serious tick-borne illness.
What the Latest Research Is Saying
Here’s what we do know:
1. Chronic Lyme is still controversial.
Many patients experience debilitating symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog long after treatment. Mounting evidence suggests this might be caused by lingering immune system activation or tissue damage rather than ongoing infection. But the medical community remains divided. Again, I have several friends with chronic Lyme who would be more than happy to debate this.
2. Co-infections are on the rise and complicating treatment.
More ticks are carrying multiple pathogens, which makes diagnosis and treatment even trickier. Anaplasmosis and babesiosis can require different antibiotics than Lyme, so a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it.
3. Prevention works and matters more than you think.
- Do daily tick checks (on yourself, your kids, and your pets).
- Wear 0.5% permethrin-treated clothing when hiking or gardening.
- Use EPA-registered repellents on skin.
- Remove ticks promptly. The sooner you get them off, the lower the chance of infection.
If You’re in a Low-Risk Area, Consider Yourself Lucky
Those of us in the Northeast live with a very different reality. Every trip outdoors carries a level of vigilance. It’s not about paranoia; it’s about protecting your health.
Until we have better diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments, prevention is still our strongest defense.
Stay vigilant. Stay healthy.
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