Lyme Disease Rates Down In NYC For First Time In Years

NEW YORK, NY — Lyme disease is still a problem in New York, but city residents seem to have the debilitating ailment on the run — less cases of the disease were diagnosed in each of the five boroughs in 2018 than in any of the previous four years.

It's the first year since 2014 that the health department has seen a decline in the number of infections.

While Lyme disease is not generally associated with the city because of a lack of rural areas, statewide it sickened more people than in all but one other state in 2017. Symptoms of the tick borne illness can include skin rash, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches and, if left untreated, serious complications can occur.

But the trend is finally moving in the right direction — there were 753 cases of Lyme disease among New York City residents in 2018, down from 1,090 cases in 2017, according to a press release from the Health Department.

In fact, all five boroughs in 2018 saw a decrease in 2018.

In Manhattan:

2018: 264

2017: 385

Brooklyn

2018: 282

2017: 384

Queens

2018: 85

2017:150

The Bronx

2018: 34

2017: 47

Staten Island

2018: 88

2017: 124

"Lyme Disease is a serious threat to New Yorkers," said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. "Many thanks to the Health Department for working to combat these diseases."

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo has been at the forefront of raising awareness for Lyme disease. This past year NYC, he announced a $600,000 initiative to enhance tick surveillance, outreach and control measures on the borough, according to a press release.

"We will continue full-throttle, to work with our partners at the city and state levels on raising awareness, reaching out to physicians and hospitals for increased reporting, and deploying tick control devices in our parks and natural areas," he said.

The New York City Health Department has recommendations on the best way to avoid the disease.

• Reduce your risk at home – if ticks are present, create a tick-safe zone.
  • Keep grass short and don’t let piles of brush or leaves build up.
  • Trim shrubs and tree branches around your yard to let in more sunlight.
  • Keep playground equipment and outdoor furniture in a sunny location, away from yard edges and trees.
  • Don’t leave out food that attracts deer and other wildlife.
• Repel, don’t attract, ticks.
  • Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus extract (also known as PMD).
  • Permethrin products can be used on clothing or shoes (but not the skin) to repel and kill ticks.
  • Stay in the center of cleared paths and hiking trails when walking in heavily-wooded areas.
  • Wear light-colored clothing to see ticks easier.
  • Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants to prevent ticks from attaching to your skin.
  • Tie hair up or wear a hat.
  • Wear gloves when gardening.
• Pets
  • Ask your veterinarian which flea and tick repellents are best to use on your pet.
  • Dogs can also get sick from ticks. If you think your dog may have been bitten by a tick and you see changes in your dog’s behavior or appetite, speak with your veterinarian.