Thousands in West Virginia struck down by 'mystery' tick-borne disease that's ... trends now
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Experts have raised the alarm about the growing threat of tick-borne Lyme disease, as cases begin to soar with rising temperatures.
In West Virginia, one county's health department has warned that the state is currently seeing hundreds of cases of the condition, compared to a handful a few years ago.
The department administrator Howard Gamble told local news outlets that patients must see a healthcare professional 'if a tick has bit you and it is embedded into your skin.'
Statewide, cases reached 1,052 last year — and are expected to surge to similar levels this year. Just a decade ago, there were barely 300 cases a year.
The above map shows where cases of Lyme disease were reported in the US in 2022
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted when someone is bitten by an infected tick that are prevalent in grassy and wooded areas.
It initially causes a characteristic bullseye rash around the bite site, and without treatment can lead to nerve damage, heart problems, fatigue and personality changes.
Doctors can treat the infection with antibiotics, but it can take months to diagnose if the first warning signs are missed.
The condition has attracted attention due to the large group of celebrity sufferers - including Justin Bieber and Bella Hadid who were both diagnosed with Lyme disease — likely after spending time in the
