Geographic expansion of Lyme disease in Michigan, 2000-2014

Paul M. Lantos, Jean Tsao, Lise E. Nigrovic, Paul G. Auwaerter, Vance G. Fowler, Felicia Ruffin, Erik Foster, Graham Hickling

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Most Lyme disease cases in the Midwestern United States are reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In recent years, however, a widening geographic extent of Lyme disease has been noted with evidence of expansion eastwards into Michigan and neighboring states with historically low incidence rates. Methods. We collected confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease from 2000 through 2014 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, entering them in a geographic information system. We performed spatial focal cluster analyses to characterize Lyme disease expansion. We compared the distribution of human cases with recent Ixodes scapularis tick distribution studies. Results. Lyme disease cases in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan expanded more than 5-fold over the study period. Although increases were seen throughout the Upper Peninsula, the Lower Peninsula particularly expanded along the Indiana border north along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Human cases corresponded to a simultaneous expansion in established I scapularis tick populations. Conclusions. The geographic distribution of Lyme disease cases significantly expanded in Michigan between 2000 and 2014, particularly northward along the Lake Michigan shore. If such dynamic trends continue, Michigan-and possibly neighboring areas of Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada-can expect a continued increase in Lyme disease cases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Keywords

  • Borrelia burgdorferi
  • Geographic information systems
  • Ixodes scapularis
  • Lyme disease
  • Michigan

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Geographic expansion of Lyme disease in Michigan, 2000-2014'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this