Tick-borne illnesses have increased 350% in rural America since 2007: Experts say more people are being infected than ever before

Analysts looked at private insurance claims filed across America

They found claims in rural areas surged 357 percent in 2021 compared to 2007

There was also an uptick in urban areas by 65 percent over the same period

Experts warned more people were now catching Lyme disease than previously

It may also be driven by higher awareness from likes of Yolanda Hadid and Shania Twain also catching the disease




Up to four times more Americans are catching Lyme disease than a decade-and-a-half ago, a study on insurance claims has suggested in another sign the illness is becoming more widespread.

Analysis by FAIR Health — owner of one of America's largest claims databases — revealed a 357 percent surge in applications linked to the tick-borne illness from 2007 to 2021 across rural areas. But there was also an uptick in towns and cities, where it rose by 65 percent over the same period.

Experts warned more people were catching Lyme disease more than ever before across the United States. But the uptick may also be driven by surging awareness of the 'invisible disease', thanks to high-profile cases in celebrities including singer Shania Twain and socialite Yolanda Hadid.

People who said they had recovered from the disease today called on Americans to 'take this seriously', adding that it could leave them suffering symptoms for years.

image of hot spot states

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all near NY and Plum ISLAND... I have friends in CT and they say the deer swim the channel to plum island and the Hamptons to LYME Ct all the time!!!!


For the analysis, experts at FAIR Health combed through more than 36 billion private healthcare claims from America's 50 states for all those mentioning Lyme disease.

They looked as those for antibiotics, and those for long-term symptoms including fatigue, muscle pain and confusion.

Doctors say patients can be left suffering after-effects of the illness for months, even when they receive treatment quickly.

WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks.

It causes symptoms including a circle or oval-shaped rash around a tick bite, which usually appears within four weeks of being bitten, but may take up to three months to show.

Some people also get flu-like symptoms in the days after being bitten, including a high temperature, a headache, muscle and joint pain and a loss of energy.

And a few of those treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms, such as tiredness, aches and a loss of energy, that can last for years.

It's not clear why some suffer from ongoing symptoms and there is no agreed treatment for the disease.

Not all ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, but infected ticks can be found across the UK.

High risk areas include grassy and wooded areas in northern and southern England, as well as the Scottish Highlands.

People are advised to remove ticks safely and as soon as possible using tweezers.


Breaking down the data by region showed New Jersey — mainly urban — had the most Lyme disease claims filed in 2021.

But Vermont and Maine — mostly rural — had the second and third highest numbers of claims.

The analysts also pointed to data from 2017, however, which showed North Carolina had the third highest number of claims — which they said suggested the disease was spreading in new areas.


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Yall stay safe out there !!!!