Lyme Disease Awareness in Downeast Maine

Genziano, Justin L

Item

Lyme Disease Awareness in Downeast Maine

Genziano, Justin L

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Lyme disease is endemic in the state of Maine with 1,399 probable and confirmed cases reported in 2014. The rate in coastal Hancock County has doubled since 2012, and has the third highest rate of infection in the state. Medical providers in Hancock County have observed an increase in anxiety and concern about Lyme disease in the community, and have found that much of this is driven by hearsay or unreliable information from the internet. The goal of this project is to provide patients with concise and accurate information to help alleviate this concern.