Lyme Disease Rates Soar in the United States According to Government Agency

With the arrival of the summer vacation season, millions of families and individuals have plans to enjoy the great outdoors as they travel the nation. Many of these plans involve spending time outdoors in areas known to harbor ticks that carry the bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, which can cause Lyme disease.

In recent years, Lyme disease cases have been increasing in the U.S. This past April, BMC Public Health, a peer-reviewed journal, published an article that predicts tick-borne Lyme disease cases could hit almost 2 million by next year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2004 and 2016, tick-borne disease cases (82% of which are Lyme disease), have more than doubled.

Infected blacklegged ticks spread Lyme disease in the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic and North Central parts of the United States through their bite. The western blacklegged tick spreads it in areas along the Pacific Coast. Symptoms may include a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, fever, headache and fatigue. If left untreated, infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system.

“The summer months are a common time of year for people to get bit by infected ticks,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The CDC reports that most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny and difficult to see, feeding on their hosts during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks can also transmit the Lyme disease bacterium, but they are much larger and are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have time to cause an infection.”

People are encouraged by the CDC to seek medical attention if they observe Lyme disease symptoms and have had a tick bite. EMSL Analytical has also developed a Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit that actually tests the tick for Borrelia burgdorferi. The tick is collected and sent to EMSL’s laboratory where it is tested using an exceptionally accurate and powerful PCR-based DNA analysis. EMSL has even sponsored an educational video about ticks and Lyme disease that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/nzINREQurOg.

For more information about this or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.TickTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . To obtain a Lyme Disease Tick Test Kit, visit: www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail