Lyme Disease Statistics

In 2021, 1,033 confirmed Lyme disease cases (18 cases per 100,000 population) were reported in Minnesota. In addition, 869 probable cases (physician-diagnosed cases that did not meet clinical evidence criteria for a confirmed case but that had laboratory evidence of infection) were reported.

• 642 (62%) confirmed cases were male
• Median case age was 45 years (range, 2 to 94 years)
• 697 (67%) cases had a physician-diagnosed erythema migrans rash (e.g., Bull’s eye rash)
• 371 (36%) cases had one or more late manifestations of Lyme disease (e.g., arthritis or Bell’s Palsy) with confirmation by Western immunoblot laboratory testing (positive IgM ≤ 30 days post-onset or positive IgG).
• Of the 934 cases with known illness onset dates, illness onsets peaked from June through August with 68% of erythema migrans rashes occurring in June or July.

Despite some yearly fluctuations, the number of reported cases of Lyme disease has been increasing over the years.

• Median number of cases reported from 2000 to 2009 was 915 cases (range, 463 to 1,239).
• Median number of cases reported from 2010 through 2019 was 1,190 cases (range, 896 to 1,431).

Charts and graphs

• Reported Cases of Lyme Disease in Minnesota by Year, 1996-2021 (PDF)
  Graph showing the number of reported cases of Lyme disease in Minnesota by year.

Maps

In recent years, most Lyme disease cases reported likely exposure to blacklegged (deer) ticks in east-central, north-central, and southeast Minnesota.

• High Risk Areas for Tickborne Diseases in Minnesota
  A map that shows counties of highest tick-borne disease risk in Minnesota.

Annual summaries

• Lyme Disease, 2019
  Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health
  • Lyme Disease, 2018
  • Lyme Disease, 2017
  • Lyme Disease, 2016
  • Lyme Disease, 2015
  • Lyme Disease, 2014
  • Lyme Disease, 2013
  • Lyme Disease, 2012
  • Lyme Disease, 2011
  • Lyme Disease, 2010
  • Lyme Disease, 2009
  • Lyme Disease, 2008
  • Lyme Disease, 2007
  • Lyme Disease, 2006
  • Lyme Disease, 2005
  • Lyme Disease, 2004
  • Lyme Disease, 2003
  • Lyme Disease, 2002

National statistics

• CDC: Lyme Disease Statistics
  Maps, charts, tables, and reports from the CDC.