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Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans from black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) carrying the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that can cause serious complications if not detected and treated in a timely manner. While Lyme disease has only been present in the United States since 1970, it has quickly become endemic to the northeast United States. And since 1990, caseloads have dramatically risen and are estimated to be close to 400,000 cases a year. The increase in incidence rates is attributable to climate change. As the planet warms, the number of tick vectors increases, vector mortality rates lessen, vector life cycles become shorter, and vector active seasons become longer. In New York State there has been a northward expansion of ticks and Lyme disease cases from hyperendemic areas (like the Hudson Valley) to emerging areas (like the Adirondacks.) Public health action has the potential to halt the spread of Lyme disease into areas where incidence is currently low. This study aims to evaluate barriers to New York State county-level public health departments taking action to prevent and combat the spread of Lyme disease. Through a confidential survey, it was determined that financial and human resources are consistently the greatest barriers to county-level Lyme disease prevention activities. Data availability was found to be significantly more of a barrier in counties where Lyme disease is still emerging than in counties where Lyme disease is already hyperendemic. To prevent counties where Lyme disease is emerging from becoming hyperendemic, it is imperative to establish robust and accurate data surveillance systems. Appropriate data systems would also be essential in preventing the spread of other tick-borne diseases in the face of climate change, such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis in New York State. |
