CDC Confirms National Tick-Borne Disease Epidemic, TBDA Calls for Increased Research

CDC Confirms National Tick-Borne Disease Epidemic,
TBDA Calls for Increased Research

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed what TBDA and others have been saying for years - that tick-borne diseases pose a national health epidemic and that we need more government research to fight these debilitating illnesses. The shocking new report shows that Lyme disease strikes 300,000 people each year, affecting 10 times the number of victims previously reported.

Given the methodology the CDC used to determine its report, it is likely that the actual number is much higher. In addition, the estimate fails to include those infected with other tick-borne illnesses, such as miyamotoi, babesiosis and the Powassan virus, which can also cause enervating symptoms, and in some cases death.

In response to this alarming news, TBDA is calling on government officials to allocate the critical resources needed for research and to focus on the development of a 100% reliable diagnostic tool for these devastating diseases. TBDA is also focused on building awareness through Bite Back for a Cure, a national grassroots campaign to build support for the fight against tick-borne diseases.

On Thursday, CBS Radio Connecticut interviewed TBDA Co-Chair David Roth about these staggering new statistics. You can listen to the interview here.

TBDA also wants to remind the public about the very easy ways we can all protect ourselves: by using a repellant that contains Permethrin on clothes and another EPA-approved repellant on exposed skin, showering within one hour of coming inside and wearing light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to see. For more information about protecting yourself and your family, download TBDA's Tick-Borne Disease Prevention Guide.