Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to a person through the bite of an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Symptoms of Lyme disease include the formation of a characteristic expanding rash (erythema migrans) at the site of a tick bite 3-30 days after exposure. This rash occurs in 80% of patients. Fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, and fatigue are also common during the first several weeks. Later features of Lyme disease can include arthritis in one or more joints (often the knee), Bell’s palsy and other cranial nerve palsies, meningitis, and carditis (AV block). Lyme disease is rarely, if ever, fatal.

History of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease gets its name from a small coastal town in Connecticut called Lyme. In 1975, a woman brought to the attention of Yale researchers an unusual cluster of more than 51 cases of mostly pediatric arthritis. In 1977, Dr. Allen Steere and Yale colleagues identified and named the 51 clusters “Lyme arthritis." In 1979, the name was changed to "Lyme disease," when Steere and colleague Dr. Steven Malawista discovered additional symptoms linked to the disease such as possible neurological problems and severe fatigue. In 1982 the cause of the disease was discovered by Dr. Willy Burgdorfer. Dr. Burgdorfer published a paper on the infectious agent of Lyme disease and earned the right to have his name placed on the Lyme disease spirochete now known as Borrelia burgdorferi.

Resources for Maine Residents
Resources for Physicians
Resources to Educators (5th grade curriculum)

Reports and Publications
Other Vectorborne Diseases
External Links

Resources for Maine Residents

Lyme Fact Sheet Word*| PDF*
Tick Identification
Distribution of Deer Ticks in Maine 2008 (PDF*)
Insect Repellent (Q&A)
Prevention of Tick-Borne Diseases
Lyme Disease Q&A
Lyme Disease Awareness and Prevention Movie

Resources for Educators:

Educational materials have been provided for a pilot tick education program for school nurses and 5th grade teachers. The program is called "Ticks: Know Your Enemy". Materials were assembled by the Maine Vector-borne Disease Working Group, Youth Education Subcommittee. These materials are also available to the general public.

Resources for Physicians

Case Report Form Word* | PDF*
Lyme Laboratory Criteria PDF*
Treatment Guidelines for Health Care Providers
Post-exposure Prophylaxis information

Reports and Publications

Lyme Legislative Report February, 2009 (Adobe PDF*)
2008 Lyme Disease Surveillance Report (Adobe PDF*)
2007 Annual Report, Lyme (Adobe PDF*)
2006 Annual Report, Lyme (Adobe PDF*)
2006 Lyme Disease Surveillance Report (Adobe PDF*)

EPI Information

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