A recent study published in the journal EcoHealthfound that as climate change progresses, Lyme disease cases are set to increase dramatically in the Northeast and upper Midwest US
In brief:
- A rise in global temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius could increase Lyme disease cases by 38%, translating to around 55,000 new cases each year.
- This spike in Lyme cases could also increase health care costs by 38%, amounting to an additional $236 million per year.
- Lyme cases in more southeastern states are projected to decline slightly.
Key quote:
“Lyme disease is likely to have a significant impact on the health of thousands more children and adults in the coming decades in these regions, particularly in more northern regions, leading to tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in annual health care costs.”
Why this matters:
Findings are estimated to be even higher with larger temperature increases and are still likely underestimates. The study did not take into account factors such as underdiagnosis and underreporting of Lyme disease, the expansion of ticks into new areas, or the increasing prevalence of ticks carrying Lyme and other tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
Related EHN cover:
On a personal note:
Several EHS staff members in the Northeast US have personally dealt with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. One suffered from Lyme and mumps, with severe fatigue, body aches and frozen shoulders, to the extent that he could not walk. Another staff member and her son are currently undergoing treatment. he is a 24-year-old athlete with fluid-filled joints, walks with a limp and cannot run. She has been diagnosed with Lyme every summer for the past decade and has also had anaplasmosis.
Science summaries are produced by the EHS science team, including; FOLLOWS staff.
