12 Worst States for Lyme Disease

Maryland’s location in the South Atlantic region is a hot spot for disease carrying ticks. There were 1,194 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Maryland in 2017, more than in all but seven other states. The state’s Lyme disease incidence rate of 20 incidents per 100,000 is the 12th highest among states and more than double the 9.1 per 100,000 national rate. Another 697 probable but unconfirmed cases of Lyme in the state in 2017 were not factored into the rate.

More than 80% of adults in Minnesota report getting some physical activity in their leisure time, one of the higher rates in the nation. As the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota has lots of space for outdoor activities in rural areas. People who spend their leisure time outdoors in areas with ticks like Minnesota are at greater risk of contracting Lyme disease. There were 1,408 confirmed cases of Lyme in Minnesota in 2017, or 25 for every 100,000 people. The incidence rate of Lyme in Minnesota does not include the more than 900 likely but unconfirmed cases.

More than half of West Virginia’s residents live in rural areas, where Lyme disease-carrying ticks are likely to be found. The number of confirmed Lyme disease cases in West Virginia has risen significantly in the last few years, increasing from 112 in 2014, to 243 in 2015, to 297 in 2016. In 2017, there were over 500 confirmed cases in the state, or 28 for every 100,000 people.

Along with Minnesota, Wisconsin is one of two Midwestern states to rank on this list. The incidence of Lyme disease per 100,000 people in Wisconsin increased from 26 in 2016 to 31 in 2017. Wisconsin residents who are infected with Lyme are more likely than most Americans to seek medical treatment. Just 5.4% of Wisconsin residents are without health insurance compared to the 8.7% national uninsured rate.

Lyme disease derives its name from Lyme, Connecticut — a town where, in 1975, a number of residents reported unusual arthritic symptoms. The bacteria that causes the disease was identified in 1982, and five years later, Lyme was designated a disease of great public importance. Lyme disease remains a major concern in the state, infecting about 39 people in 100,000 in 2017, nearly four times the nationwide incidence rate.

New Jersey’s location in the mid-Atlantic region is a hot spot for disease carrying ticks. There were 3,629 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the Garden State in 2017, the second most in the country after only Pennsylvania. The state’s Lyme disease incidence rate of 40 incidents per 100,000 is seventh highest among states and more than quadruple the 9.1 per 100,000 national rate. Another 1,463 probable but unconfirmed cases of Lyme in the state in 2017 were not factored into the rate.

Delaware’s incidence of confirmed Lyme disease cases increased slightly in 2017, from 41 cases per 100,000 residents in 2016 to 44 cases per 100,000 residents. The increase may have been the result of Delaware’s campaign to raise public awareness of the disease. If previously some people who contracted the disease were unaware and never diagnosed, many more are now better informed of the symptoms and more are likely correctly diagnosed.

With 56 confirmed cases for every 100,000 people in 2017, Lyme disease is more common in Rhode Island than in neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts. Partially because Lyme disease is such a concern in the state and the region, Rhode Island is home to a number of facilities that specialize in diagnosing and treating the disease, including Lyme Center of New England and the Lifespan Lyme Disease Center at the Miriam Hospital in Providence.

There were 956 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in New Hampshire in 2017, up considerably from the 691 in 2016 and more than double the 436 cases in 2015. All told, there were 71 incidents for every 100,000 people in the state in 2017, the third highest rate in the New England region and fourth highest nationwide.

Pennsylvania had 9,250 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2017, by far the most of any state and higher than the next three highest states combined. Pennsylvania accounts for more than one-third of total confirmed Lyme disease cases in the United States. Due to the state’s relatively large population, however, it ranks behind two other states in incidence rate of the disease, at 72 cases per 100,000 residents in 2017.

Vermont has a large rural population and is known for its outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and backpacking. This, and the fact that the state is in the midst of the blacklegged ticks’ habitat, means state residents are among the most likely in the country to contract Lyme disease. There were 646 confirmed cases in the state in 2017, or 104 per 100,000 people.

Maine’s incidence of confirmed Lyme disease cases of 107 per 100,000 residents in 2017 was the highest of any state. It was also more than 10 times higher than the national incidence rate of 9.1 cases per 100,000 residents. A primarily rural state, many in Maine are likely to be close to grassy and wooded areas where disease-carrying blacklegged ticks tend to live.