ABSTRACT
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S. Surveillance data from four states with a low-incidence of Lyme disease was evaluated. Most cases occurred after travel to high-incidence Lyme disease areas. Cases without travel-related exposure in low-incidence states differed epidemiologically; misdiagnosis may be common in these areas.
Subject(s)
Lyme Disease/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Endemic Diseases , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Travel , United States/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Tickborne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a zoonosis caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia and transmitted to humans by ticks of the genus Ornithodoros. TBRF is endemic in the western United States, predominately in mountainous regions. Clinical illness is characterized by recurrent bouts of fever, headache, and malaise. Although TBRF is usually a mild illness, severe sequelae and death can occur. This report summarizes the epidemiology of 504 TBRF cases reported from 12 western states during 1990-2011. Cases occurred most commonly among males and among persons aged 10â14 and 40â44 years. Most reported infections occurred among nonresident visitors to areas where TBRF is endemic. Clinicians and public health practitioners need to be familiar with current epidemiology and features of TBRF to adequately diagnose and treat patients and recognize that any TBRF case might indicate an ongoing source of potential exposure that needs to be investigated and eliminated.
