Endemic, expansion or isolated
Geographic Distribution
Since human Lyme disease was discovered in 1975 in Old Lyme, Connecticut, the disease has increased dramatically in incidence and geographic spread and is the most common tick-borne disease in North America. Today, human Lyme disease is more common on the East Coast, from northern Virginia to Maine, and in the Upper Midwest, but it has been reported in all 48 contiguous states.1
Increased canine incidence
Incidence of canine Lyme disease easily keeps pace with the increased incidence in humans. However, there is no national system for capturing incidence of canine Lyme disease. Because of this, reviewing the human data for Lyme disease is important as an indication of the exposure and potential infection in dogs. In fact, the threat of Lyme infection is thought to be greater in dogs than humans.
Human Lyme disease now
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been capturing data since 1993 on the incidence of human Lyme disease.1 This state-by-state data also
illustrate how the disease is spreading geographically.
- Human cases have nearly doubled since 19951
- Estimates show cases may increase to 40,000 by 2012 2
- Human Lyme disease has been found in all 48 contiguous states1
- Most cases have been identified from Virginia to the Northeast and in the Upper Midwest2
- 28,921 new confirmed cases reported in 20081
To view complete state-by-state human Lyme disease data, go to
www.cdc.gov.
Canine Lyme disease now
Canine Lyme disease was identified in 1984 and has been spreading ever since. Whenever and wherever dogs come in close contact with infected wildlife such as small mammals and deer and the tick vector, the risk of canine Lyme disease is great.
Know the facts
- It is estimated that 50 percent of dogs are infected with Borrelia burgdorferi in endemic disease areas4
- Nearly 75 percent of unvaccinated dogs in endemic areas will eventually test positive, and each year some will develop Lyme disease3
- Dogs are 50 to 100 times more likely than humans to come in contact with disease-carrying ticks14
- More dogs are probably infected with Borellia burgdorferi than reported, as dogs will often show no signs of disease.
- Dogs spend more time roaming in areas infested with ticks, especially in their own backyards
- The threat of Lyme disease is probably greater in dogs than in humans
Go to www.dogsandticks.com for a U.S. map of the incidence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection and other tick-borne diseases.
What is the threat in your clinic's area?
Is your clinic in a human Lyme disease endemic, expansion or isolated area? Where your practice is located and where your clients live can help determine the level of risk for dogs in your practice.
If your practice has clients living in or traveling in high-endemic states or expansion areas, your hospital needs to be on the alert for risk, assessing your patients for canine Lyme disease.
What is the Lyme disease risk to your patients?
| Geographic area |
Disease threat |
Know the facts |
| Endemic |
Most dogs at risk
and the threat is near-constant and pervasive |
- Lyme disease remains endemic in the Northeast and North-Central
- Three-quarters of human cases are contracted during activities around the home3
- Nearly 75 percent of unvaccinated dogs in this area will eventually test positive, and each year some will develop Lyme disease3
|
| Expansion |
Many dogs at risk
and the threat is present to varying degrees |
- Lyme disease may be found in wildlife corridors/ecosystems where deer live in urban and suburban areas
- From 2006 to 2007, human Lyme disease cases more than doubled in Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee1
- Human cases have increased sharply in the Carolinas and Texas1
- Dogs in these areas can be sentinels for Lyme disease in people
|
| Isolated |
Some dogs at risk
and the threat is present in some areas |
- Human Lyme disease has been found in all 48 contiguous states1
- Lyme disease may be found in wildlife corridors/ecosystems where deer live in urban and suburban areas
- Dogs in these areas can be sentinels for Lyme disease in people
|
Stay current about the incidence of Lyme disease in your area
Veterinary professionals need to be informed and up-to-date about Lyme disease in their clinic's areas. The only way to know the rate of infection in your patients is to begin a testing program for Borrelia burgdorferi. You can start by talking with clinics in your area. Ask the staff members if they are seeing an increase in canine Lyme disease. Checking with the local health department for data on human Lyme disease cases, or local or state VMA's may also be helpful.
A comprehensive tick-borne disease prevention program, including canine Lyme vaccination, is the only way to assure dogs in endemic and expansion areas are protected.
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