Lyme Disease Statistics
From 1986 to 2008, more than 11,000 cases of tick-borne diseases were reported in Minnesota, of which the majority (more than 9,700 cases) were Lyme disease. One thousand fifty confirmed Lyme disease cases were reported in 2008. A record number of 1,239 confirmed Lyme disease cases were reported in 2007, and near-record numbers of Lyme disease cases were reported in 2004 (1,023 cases), 2005 (917 cases) and 2006 (913 cases).
The number of Lyme disease cases has been increasing dramatically since the 1990s. A variety of factors, including increasing physician awareness, increasing infection rates in ticks, and expanding tick distribution may have led to this trend.
The Lyme disease cases in 2008 ranged in age from infants to 95 years; the median age was 40 years. Thirty-two percent of Lyme disease patients in 2008 were under 18 years of age. In 2008, 64% of Lyme disease cases were male.
Exposure to blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) and Lyme disease in Minnesota occurs primarily from May to July, and again in the autumn, when people are outdoors and ticks are actively feeding.
The majority of cases occur in June, July, and August, peaking just after the mid-May to mid-July period when the nymphal deer tick is feeding. This lag is due to the 3-30 day period between an infected tick bite and the start of signs and symptoms.
On this page:
Charts and graphs
Maps
Annual summaries
National statistics
Charts and graphs:
- Reported Cases of Lyme Disease in Minnesota by Year
Graph showing the number of reported Lyme disease in Minnesota by year.
- Reported Cases of Lyme Disease in Minnesota by Month of Onset
Graph showing the percent of cases of Lyme disease by month of onset.
Maps:
As in prior years, most Lyme disease cases in 2008 reported likely exposure to deer ticks in east-central, north-central, and southeast Minnesota.
- High Risk Areas for Tick-borne Diseases in Minnesota
A map that shows counties of highest Tick-borne risk in Minnesota.
Annual summaries:
- Lyme Disease, 2009
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2009.
- Lyme Disease, 2008
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2008.
- Lyme Disease, 2007
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2007.
- Lyme Disease, 2006
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2006.
- Lyme Disease, 2005
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2005.
- Lyme Disease, 2004
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2004.
- Lyme Disease, 2003
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2003.
- Lyme Disease, 2002
Minnesota Department of Health, Disease Control Newsletter;
Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2002.
National statistics:
- Lyme Disease Statistics
Maps, charts, tables, and reports from the CDC.
Spotlight
Blacklegged tick (deer tick) life stages next to a metric ruler. The adult ticks (two ticks at the left) are approximately 1/8 of an inch long, while the nymph (third from left) is just under 1/16 of an inch.
June 29, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus
May 6, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Anaplasmosis Rivals Lyme Disease As Record Numbers of Minnesotans Sick from Tick-Borne Diseases in 2010.
Special Review Panel Unaimously Upholds Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines: Short-term Antibiotics Proven to be Best Treatment for Patients
4/2010 Update: Special review panel unanimously upholds Lyme disease treatment guidelines. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
High Risk Areas in Minnesota
A map that shows counties of highest Tick-borne risk in Minnesota.
Ticks
Learn about blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) including their life cycle, feeding habits, habitat, and population control. Also includes information on American dog ticks, the vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Minnesota.
Preventing Tick-Transmitted Disease
Information about minimizing your risk of tick-transmitted diseases, protecting your pets, and removing ticks.
Tickborne Prevention Poster: Spray Before You Work or Play
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.