Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by any of at least three species of a special kind of bacteria called a spirochete (Borrelia). It is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. 

All persons are likely susceptible. Re-infection has occurred in those treated with antibiotics for early disease.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include a characteristic expanding rash, called erythema chronicum migrans, at the site of the tick bite.  Other symptoms include fever, arthritis, and neurological problems, including facial palsy (paralysis and loss of sensation in the face). Late, delayed, or inadequate treatment can lead to late manifestations of Lyme disease which can be disabling and difficult to treat. Some Lyme disease patients who have completed a course of antibiotic treatment continue to have symptoms such as severe fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive difficulties.

If the Lyme disease rash or other symptoms of Lyme disease occur, the patient should seek early medical attention. Lyme disease can usually be cured by an appropriate course of antibiotic treatment.

Lyme disease is spread by ticks that carry the Borrelia bacteria, therefore, the disease can be found wherever infected ticks are found. In northern Africa, the ticks that carry Borrelia occur in Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia. They may also be present in Kenya. In Asia, these ticks can be found in Japan, northwest China, Mongolia, Nepal, Thailand, and far eastern Russia. In North America, these ticks are found in many parts of Canada and in the eastern United States. In Europe, these ticks are found mainly in central Europe (Slovenia and Austria), but also in almost every other country on the continent. The ticks can be found in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. In South America, the ticks have been found in Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia.