Tick bites are on the rise in the United States, and federal health officials are launching a major new campaign to slow the spread of Lyme disease and other related illnesses.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a series of programs aimed at preventing the spread of tick-borne diseases and speeding up diagnosis and treatment of patients.
What's happening?
At a May 29 press conference in New Hampshire, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled what it called one of the most "ambitious federal programs ever" to combat Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
«"Millions of Americans battling Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses have searched for years for answers, treatment, and support," said U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The new package includes a multimillion-dollar tick-control pilot program, prizes of up to $2.5 million through an innovation project competition, research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and a public-private partnership to connect patients with experienced Lyme disease treatment specialists, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also said it remains committed to reducing Lyme disease cases by 25% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels.
This announcement comes as the number of emergency room visits due to tick bites reached its highest level in nearly a decade this spring, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More than 476,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year, making it one of the fastest-growing vector-borne health threats in the country.
Officials also pointed to alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne disease that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can cause severe allergic reactions to red meat and other animal products. The CDC estimates that approximately 500,000 Americans suffer from the condition.
Why is this important?
Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases can be difficult and expensive to treat, especially if diagnosis is delayed.
With the increase in tick bites during warmer months, the risk of infection increases for families, hikers, gardeners, pet owners, and outdoor workers.
If research leads to tools that help prevent alpha-gal syndrome after a tick bite, it could reduce the impact of serious allergies associated with everyday food choices, shopping habits, and restaurant visits.
What's next?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that a pilot program, implemented in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will aim to reduce tick populations in the wild before they can transmit diseases to humans. It will begin with researchers from the New England Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases and will be developed through partnerships with local communities, including the Indian Health Service and the Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also continues to support research on a large scale. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health currently invests approximately $50 million annually in Lyme disease research and approximately $122 million in broader tick-borne disease research, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Three new LymeX competitions will award up to $2.5 million to support awareness campaigns, treatment development, and AI-powered tools to help patients get answers to their questions faster.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that a doctor locator tool from the International Society for the Study of Lyme and Related Diseases will also be available to patients on hhs.gov/lyme. This tool is designed to help patients find experienced specialists and educational resources.
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