The incidence of Lyme disease has risen sharply in North America over the past decade. In the United States, the number of reported cases has increased from 10,000 in 1991 to now nearly 28,000 per year. The pathology even owes its name to the city of Lyme, Connecticut, where the first cases were described in 1975. With global warming, the increase is not likely to stop there, according to researchers from the University. Carnegie-Mellon and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. These temperature changes would indeed increase the number of ticks, lovers of milder weather.
A 20% increase in the number of cases
Published in the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology last month, the study examined the relationship between climate variables and the incidence of Lyme disease in 15 US states, which account for 95% of reported cases. The scientists studied annual epidemiological data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2000 to 2016. They also dissected weather data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The researchers then made projections, assuming that the temperature will rise by 2°C by the middle of the century. And according to their calculations, the number of Lyme disease cases is expected to increase by about 21% by 2050. This equates to 8.6 additional cases per 100,000 population. In fact, the climate has a direct impact on the development, survival and behavior of ticks. So much so that the US Environmental Protection Agency already uses pathology as an indicator of climate change.
“Our findings should alert clinicians, public health professionals and policy makers, as well as the general public”worries in a press release Edson Severnini, co-author of the study. “Tick-borne diseases are a significant public health concern and the incidence of these infections is increasing in the United States and around the world”, concludes Igor Dumic, director of research. Because when it is not treated, the pathology can lead to joint, neurological or cardiac symptoms.
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