
Report within 24 hours of Diagnosis to the Local Health Department.
Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria that is carried by ticks. This infection can cause a variety of symptoms and if left untreated can be severe. Lyme disease is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick and is not spread from person to person. Symptoms may include a rash that looks like a bulls-eye, tiredness, fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, and joint pain. If left untreated, infected persons may develop arthritis, nervous system problems, and heart problems. If treated early, antibiotic therapy is generally effective. To prevent Lyme disease, it is important to avoid tick bites. Examples of prevention measures includes avoiding wooded areas with dense shrubs and leaf litter, wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, performing tick checks and by mowing lawns and keeping shrubs trimmed.
Return to the main vector-borne illness page