Why Is This Important?

Lyme disease is primarily caused by bacteria called ''Borrelia burgdorferi'' and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks, ''Ixodes scapularis''). Typical symptoms include chills, fever, bull's-eye rash, headache, and muscle pain. Lyme disease affects the central nervous system, heart, and joints in its advanced stages.

Definition

Incidence (new cases) of Lyme disease

Data Sources

• Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System (CRDSS), Communicable Disease Service, New Jersey Department of Health
  (http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/cdrss/)
• Population Estimates, State Data Center, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
  (https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/demographics/population-household-estimates/)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

In the two years since the Lyme disease case definition was updated in 2022, New Jersey has had an average annual incidence of 70.7 cases per 100,000 population.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

New Jersey is considered a high-incidence state for Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported [https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/vectorborne.shtml vector-borne illness] in the United State and is concentrated heavily in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.^[https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/index.html 1]^ In 2022, New Jersey had the third most reported cases of Lyme disease in the U.S.

What Is Being Done?

The NJDOH [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/ Communicable Disease Service] (CDS) has staff dedicated to the monitoring, control, and prevention of vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. Specific activities performed by NJDOH CDS vector-borne illness staff include surveillance of vector-borne diseases, identifying risk factors, monitoring geographic trends, providing technical assistance, and training and educating the public and public health partners. CDS and local health departments offer educational information about the spread, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease as well as how to safely remove a tick. NJDOH offers free continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CPE, CHES, CPH) on Lyme disease prevention, testing, diagnosis, and treatment, [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/lyme.shtml].

Evidence-based Practices

Individuals can take preventive measures to protect against Lyme disease. Knowing where ticks live (in or near wooded or grassy areas) and walking in the center of trails can help avoid contact with ticks. Keeping your yard clean by mowing lawns, clearing brush, and removing leaf litter removes tick habitats. Applying EPA-registered insect repellent on skin and permethrin on clothing, boots, and camping gear helps to keep ticks off your body. Wearing light-colored clothes can help you spot ticks and wearing long sleeves and pants tucked into socks can prevent ticks from getting under clothes. Checking your body for ticks and showering after being outdoors, ideally within 2 hours, can help find and wash off unattached ticks.

More Resources

CDC's Lyme Disease web portal: [http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/] NJDOH's Lyme Disease web portal: [http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/lyme.shtml] New Jersey Vector-borne Disease Dashboard: [https://dashboards.doh.nj.gov/views/public_dashboard/Intro]

Footnote References

1. CDC, Lyme Disease Data and Statistics: [https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/index.html]