Lyme Disease National Statistics

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The United States of America

Lyme disease has surpassed AIDS as one of the fastest growing infectious epidemics in our nation, with a cost to society measured in the billions of dollars.1

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) surveillance case definition was developed for national reporting of Lyme disease; it is not intended to be used in clinical diagnosis.2


* Reported cases:
Lyme Disease Cases as Reported to the CDC 1980-Current (7-26-08): 320,398 3

Actual Cases:
Using the CDCs own under-reported standard of 10 fold: 3,203,980 4, 5

* In the United States, requirements for reporting diseases are mandated by state laws or regulations, and the list of reportable diseases in each state differs.2

* Disease reporting is likely incomplete, and completeness might vary depending on the disease. The degree of completeness of data reporting might be influenced by the diagnostic facilities available; control measures in effect; public awareness of a specific disease; and the interests, resources, and priorities of state and local officials responsible for disease control and public health surveillance.6

* As reported by the CDC, 60 to 75 percent of patients with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever receive an alternate diagnosis on their first visit for medical care.7