Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse?

Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia bacteria, was first identified in 1976 in Connecticut. It has since spread globally, largely due to mice, which are ineffective at grooming ticks. Environmental changes, such as climate change and habitat fragmentation, have increased mouse populations, further spreading the disease. Efforts to combat Lyme disease include faster diagnosis and controlling tick and mouse populations, though success is uncertain.

What year was Lyme disease first identified in Lyme, Connecticut?

• 1986

• 1976

• 1966

• 1996

Why are mice significant in the spread of Lyme disease?

• They are effective at grooming ticks.

• They rarely carry the Borrelia bacteria.

• They often carry the Borrelia bacteria due to poor grooming.

• They are predators of ticks.

How has climate change contributed to the spread of Lyme disease?

• By warming winters, allowing mice and ticks to spread further north.

• By reducing the number of ticks.

• By decreasing the number of mice.

• By increasing the number of predators for mice.

What is one method scientists are using to control tick populations?

• Increasing the number of farm fields.

• Using chemicals to control ticks.

• Reducing the number of opossums.

• Introducing more mice into the environment.

What is a current challenge in combating Lyme disease?

• Lack of awareness about the disease.

• Uncertainty about the success of current control efforts.

• Inability to identify symptoms quickly.

• Lack of scientific research on Lyme disease.