Lyme Disease Is Exploding in These Areas Due To Climate Change

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One consequence of a warming planet is an increase in hospitable environments for disease-transmitting vectors like mosquitos, ticks, and fleas. Deer ticks are most active when temperatures are above 45°F, a condition that is becoming more common as winters become shorter and milder. As the range of suitable habitat for ticks expands, the risk of Lyme disease increases.

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Over the last 15 years, the incidence of Lyme disease has increased substantially throughout the Northeast and spread to parts of the country where the bacterial illness was once practically nonexistent. In Maine, the incidence rate rose nearly tenfold, an increase of more than 100 additional Lyme disease cases per 100,000 residents. Vermont and West Virginia have also seen substantial increases, as well as once low-risk states to the west like Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan. A closer look at the data reveals fast-warming counties where Lyme disease is rapidly proliferating.

To determine the counties where climate change is contributing to an increase in Lyme disease, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on Lyme disease incidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Counties were ranked based on the 15-year change in the incidence rate of Lyme disease per 100,000 residents from 2004-2006 to 2019-2021. Supplemental data on average temperature are from the NOAA.

25. Adams County, WI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +127.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 47.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 174.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 69.2°F (+1.5° above normal)
County seat: Friendship

24. Barbour County, WV

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +133.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 2.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 135.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 70.6°F (+1.4° above normal)
County seat: Philippi

23. Kennebec County, ME

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +143.5 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 11.7 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 155.3 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 67.4°F (+2.3° above normal)
County seat: Augusta

22. Monroe County, WV

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +144.9 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 2.5 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 147.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 70.3°F (+0.8° above normal)
County seat: Union

21. Grand Isle County, VT

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +146.1 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 4.7 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 150.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 69.0°F (+1.7° above normal)
County seat: North Hero

20. Forest County, PA

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +148.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 9.3 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 157.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 67.7°F (+1.6° above normal)
County seat: Tionesta

19. Cortland County, NY

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +150.5 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 1.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 151.9 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.4°F (+1.0° above normal)
County seat: Cortland

18. Schuyler County, NY

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +156.9 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 1.9 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 158.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 67.8°F (+1.4° above normal)
County seat: Watkins Glen

17. Wyoming County, PA

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +162.5 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 8.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 171.1 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 68.9°F (+2.1° above normal)
County seat: Tunkhannock

16. Door County, WI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +166.5 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 6.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 172.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.2°F (+1.4° above normal)
County seat: Sturgeon Bay

15. Menominee County, WI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +167.9 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 14.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 182.5 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.8°F (+1.8° above normal)
County seat: Keshena

14. Oconto County, WI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +177.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 1.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 179.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.8°F (+1.4° above normal)
County seat: Oconto

13. Susquehanna County, PA

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +179.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 6.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 186.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 68.0°F (+1.8° above normal)
County seat: Montrose

12. Marshall County, WV

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +180.2 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 1.1 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 181.2 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 71.0°F (+0.5° above normal)
County seat: Moundsville

11. Clarion County, PA

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +181.2 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 6.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 187.2 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 68.6°F (+1.4° above normal)
County seat: Clarion

10. Venango County, PA

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +181.7 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 0.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 182.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 68.6°F (+1.6° above normal)
County seat: Franklin

9. Wayne County, PA

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +183.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 13.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 196.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 67.6°F (+1.9° above normal)
County seat: Honesdale

8. Marquette County, WI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +186.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 52.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 238.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 69.9°F (+1.5° above normal)
County seat: Montello

7. Marinette County, WI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +191.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 10.7 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 201.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.4°F (+1.6° above normal)
County seat: Marinette

6. Florence County, WI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +193.3 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 7.7 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 201.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 64.7°F (+2.2° above normal)
County seat: Florence

5. Lincoln County, ME

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +213.1 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 40.7 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 253.8 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.8°F (+2.6° above normal)
County seat: Wiscasset

4. Dickinson County, MI

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +224.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 1.3 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 226.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 65.3°F (+2.4° above normal)
County seat: Iron Mountain

3. Waldo County, ME

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +282.0 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 9.2 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 291.2 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.5°F (+2.4° above normal)
County seat: Belfast

2. Hancock County, ME

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Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +290.6 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 10.3 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 300.9 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 66.5°F (+2.5° above normal)
County seat: Ellsworth

1. Knox County, ME

Increase in Lyme disease incidence in last 15 years: +373.4 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2004-2006: 37.7 cases per 100,000 residents
Lyme disease incidence rate, 2019-2021: 411.1 cases per 100,000 residents
Average summer temperature, 2021-2023: 65.9°F (+2.5° above normal)
County seat: Rockland